There is nothing quite so alarming as the panicked feeling you can get if you’ve lost your buddy, or if you turn around to find that he or she has wandered. Helping to find a lost diver or swimmer is really the realm of rescue divers, but anyone could find himself or herself in a situation in which looking for a lost person is a necessity. Here are some basic keys to a successful search.
The Importance of Notification
Regardless of the situation, ensure people at the surface are notified as soon as possible. This helps to get rescue personnel started toward the scene, and gives the lost diver or swimmer the best chance of survival. Once notification has been made, the search can start in earnest.
Swimmers vs. Divers
Lost swimmers can be a lot harder to find than lost divers; particularly since swimmers are just not watched as closely as divers are. Get as much information as you can, including a description of any equipment he or she was using when last seen. Look for the equipment as you look for the swimmer. While emergencies do happen, false alarms are frequent; having several people look for a lost swimmer can be a good approach. Remember to check cars and snack bars, bathrooms, and beaches. Sometimes, swimmers just forget to check in with their friends, and kids have a tendency to wander.
Searching for a Lost Diver
Some lost divers have surfaced because they suddenly noticed they were low on air, which is another reason notifying people at the surface is one of the first things that should be done. Others have become distracted or narced, followed a fish, or gone into a cave or wreck, or gone around a reef formation, leaving their buddy behind.
As you are searching, look for pieces of equipment, and don’t forget to quiet your own breathing for a moment to listen for the lost diver’s bubbles. Look for bubbles, too; if you are down in a reef with a maze like structure, ascend a bit to get a bird’s eye view if visibility is good enough.
If a dive site is not brightly lit, try switching off your own lights and looking for the beam from the lost diver’s light. If he or she is nearby, it should be fairly easy to see, even in low visibility situations. You can tell a lot from the way the light is behaving; if it is still, then another emergency could exist; if it is moving, then the lost diver could be okay. Make your way to the light and you may have found your lost diver.
No search for a lost diver should take longer than thirty minutes worth of bottom time per team, and relief divers should be used whenever possible. People should be watching the surface, and proper search methods using simple bottom patterns should always be employed. Remember that you cannot help a lost diver if you, yourself are compromised, and despite the fact that you may be experiencing strong emotions, it is important that you keep your head. If a professional rescue team arrives, defer to them, and provide as much information as possible without becoming a hindrance. Last, but not least, remember that prevention is the best insurance against this type of emergency and others.