While any type of rescue is best performed by those trained and qualified in basic procedures, such personnel are not usually present with buddy pairs and recreational dive groups on a regular basis. If a problem occurs and another diver needs help, you may find that you’re that diver’s only hope. What should you do?
In-Water Diver Rescue Tips: Stop and Think
Before taking any action during an emergency in the water, allow yourself to think briefly before acting. Never rush in without assessing the situation, since putting yourself in danger will do nothing to aid the victim. Much will depend on whether the victim is conscious or unconscious; if unconscious, getting the victim to the surface quickly, in as controlled a manner as possible, should be your first priority. If the victim is conscious, do all you can to keep him or her calm, stabilize the situation if at all possible, and head to the surface.
In-Water Diver Rescue Tips: Getting Another Diver to the Surface
If other divers are present, work things out among yourselves; someone is likely going to need to tow the victim, and others can help carry gear. Do what you can to make the job easier, but keep in mind that a controlled ascent should be maintained if at all possible. Extra weights can be dropped as needed to increase buoyancy; just remember, once you drop weights, you can’t get them back, and causing a victim to ascend uncontrollably, particularly under any type of canopy, can cause further injury or pin that victim to the ceiling. At depths below 50 feet, water pressure might prevent a diver from floating, even if weights are dropped.
Using the diver’s BC to increase buoyancy is a good strategy; if you do this though, ensure the BC is not binding the victim at all by slipping a hand inside to ensure there is not excess compression. If the diver is wearing a back-mounted BCD, then it may need to be deflated somewhat after reaching the surface, to allow rescuers to make closer contact for artificial respirations and other emergency procedures.
You might be tempted to drop the victim’s tank or tanks in an attempt to make things easier; doing so is not advisable since you might end up needing the air supply and dropping tanks is an irreversible action. If at all possible, wait until you are at the surface to remove tanks, when doing so will make it easier to get the victim onto a rescue boat.
If you do have to drop gear belonging to someone else, try to mark the spot where you dropped it so that it can be retrieved later if necessary.
In-Water Diver Rescue Tips: Dealing With Panic
A panicking victim is a danger not only to himself or herself, but to everyone who comes close. If you find yourself struggling with another diver underwater, the stress of doing so will seriously increase your air consumption and reduce your effectiveness. Be careful not to over-breathe. Staying calm and signaling “up” as you begin to make an ascent can prevent victims from succumbing to additional panic, and ensuring you stick to procedures you’ve practiced over and over will help calm the victim, too.
Try to determine what is causing the other diver to panic. If he’s got water in his airway, or if he is out of air, he’s going to be rushing for the surface, and he could interpret your attempts to assist as attempts to keep him from breathing. The same can be true if he is panicking out of fear due to an animal he has encountered or an injury he has sustained. If he bolts, don’t fight; release him instead and control your own ascent. Rescuers at the surface are better off dealing with one victim instead of two.
One of the most important things to remember is that complacency can kill. Before each and every dive, go over emergency procedures. Check equipment, and watch out for your buddy. Don’t put yourself or anyone else into a predicament that could call for rescue. By following these simple safety rules, you can lessen the chances that you’ll ever need to deal with an emergency. By increasing your level of training and by diving as frequently as possible, you can become a confident and effective rescuer. Remember – you don’t have to work in an emergency services field to become a rescue diver, and getting extra training pays off; even if you only use it to save a single life.