Beyond Basics: The Emergency Ascent And How To Do It RIght

We all hope that we’ll never have to make an emergency ascent; after all, this scuba maneuver is only necessary in the event a dive has been aborted due to a critical situation caused by equipment failure, an out of air emergency, threatening marine life, or an accident that has caused an injury to ourselves or to a buddy. Here, we’ll take a closer look at emergency ascents, and we will discuss the steps for making an emergency ascent with as much of a safety margin as possible. 

Emergency Ascent Basics

An emergency ascent has the potential to contribute to decompression sickness, which in itself can be extremely harmful to well-being and even lead to death. In the event a grave situation calls for the execution of an emergency ascent, it is vital that you understand the importance of maintaining complete control. 

The best way to handle the potential for an emergency ascent is to take the necessary steps to ensure that you will not need to make one. For example, one reason a diver might need to hurry to the surface is that he or she is out of air. Preventing yourself from running out of air by carrying a secondary air supply is an excellent way to ensure that your trip to the surface is conducted in a safe, controlled fashion. 

Another way to avoid emergency ascents is to remain rational while diving and prevent panic. Panic can happen for a variety of reasons, including nitrogen narcosis, being caught in a strong current, and having equipment fail. Panic is also a factor in out of air situations. Avoid panic by becoming a skilled diver and by never exceeding the boundaries of your training, experience level, or equipment. Think about how you would calm yourself down if you were ever panicking, and talk to your dive buddy about it, too. Staying level-headed is one of the best ways to survive in an emergency. 

Equipment failure is a third cause for emergency ascents. Keeping your equipment well-maintained and ensuring that you check, double check, and triple check all gear before each dive is the best way to ensure that nothing will malfunction during a dive. If, during maintenance or a pre-dive check, your equipment seems to have a problem, do not use that equipment. Call the dive if you must. It’s better to miss out on a day of diving than it is to have to make an emergency ascent. 

There are two types of emergency ascents: assisted and unassisted.  In an assisted ascent, a dive buddy helps the afflicted diver get to the surface, or the diver gets himself or herself to the surface using a BCD.

In an unassisted emergency ascent, the diver swims to the surface under his or her own power, without any help from the BCD. 

Emergency Ascents Vary by Situation

As you might imagine, emergency ascents vary from one situation to the next. 

• Panic – When a diver is panicking, his or her dive buddy may be able to help with the emergency ascent. First, be sure that you and your buddies know the signs and symptoms of a panic attack, and second, be sure that the panicked diver cannot drag you down. If in an out of air situation, begin buddy breathing if possible. If your buddy won’t buddy breathe with you and tries to ascend rapidly, try to slow his or her ascent if possible, but be sure that you are not injured in the process since you won’t be able to help if you are hurt. If you are alone and panicking, get to the surface in a controlled fashion if possible. Remember that panic and nitrogen narcosis go hand in hand, and remember that ascent helps to eliminate narcosis. Simply ascending by a small amount may help to eliminate the panic. 

• Unconscious Buddy – If a buddy is unconscious, it is vital that you get him or her to the surface immediately. If the dive is relatively shallow, you may be able to forgo a safety stop. If your buddy is unconscious, try to support him or her and keep a hand on his or her regulator to keep it in place while you are making your way to the surface. Try to keep your buddy “looking up” as you ascend to keep the airway open and to allow gases to escape. 

• Injury – If you are injured, you may be able to make a normal ascent; however, you may need your buddy to help you make an assisted ascent. If your buddy is injured, you can help him or her to the surface while remaining calm.  

• Uncontrolled Ascent – If your BCD is almost completely inflated at depth and you begin making an uncontrolled ascent, try to use the BCD’s dump valves to eliminate the excess air and slow the rate of ascent. If this does not work, try to assume a horizontal, spread-eagled position that will cause drag and slow your rate of ascent. Be prepared to suffer from decompression sickness if this happens; it is quite likely that you will need medical treatment. 

Tips for Safer Emergency Ascents

While every situation is different, some of these pointers may help increase your level of safety in the event you find yourself making an emergency ascent. 

• Try to keep a steady, controlled pace as close to that of a normal ascent as possible. Try not to go any faster than one foot per second. 
• Look up at all times while ascending, as this can help to prevent a lung overexpansion injury. 
• Your weight belt may cause excess drag if you must make an unassisted ascent; for example, if your BC stops working and is completely deflated, you will need to swim to the surface. Dropping weight will make this easier. 
• Even if you have very little air left in your tank, keep breathing slowly and remember that the air volume will increase as you ascend. Keep exhaling slowly as you ascend. 
• As soon as you reach the surface, inflate your BCD and signal for assistance if you have not already been spotted. 
• Monitor yourself and your dive buddy for symptoms of DCS.

Though emergency ascents can be frightening, they can also be safe. Talk yourself through the situation in your mind, and remember that the air in your lungs, your BCD, and your cylinder will expand as you ascend. Finally, remember that prevention is the best course of action.