Diver Rescue Management

1. DiverRescueManagement

3. Objective The objective of this programme is to offer the Rescue Manager a plan or set of guidelines to follow in the unlikely event of an emergency situation arising. However, when dealing with an emergency the Rescue Manager must be flexible and alter their actions and priorities as changing circumstances may dictate.

4. An Emergency • ".. a combination of circumstances which are unforeseen" • Require action to be taken immediately • Marine environment add to complexity • Training and experience is required

5. What is Diver Rescue Management? • Rescue management can be defined as taking control of an emergency situation and undertaking a number of actions, which eliminates or prevents the situation from deteriorating further while awaiting the arrival of the emergency services.

6. What Does Rescue Management Require? • Requires training and experience • Aware of the available resources • People and equipment • The emergency services • CFT training courses • Club Diver • Rescue Diver • Diver Medic

7. The Emergency Plan • Flow Chart • Actions which follow in chronological order • Can be in different order or simultaneously • Record information during planning • Brought with the dive party used as a prompt card • A copy with the shore

11. Remove the Casualty from the Environment • To prevent further injury • May sink or stop breathing • Blood loss • The sooner first aid is given, the better chance of a successful outcome • Extreme care must be taken with head and neck

12. Lost Diver • Establish and mark the last known position and time • Notify the Coast Guard of the situation, be able to answer the following: • What is your current position? • How long overdue is the diver? • Do you believe them to be on the surface or underwater? • Are there any special conditions • Have you marked his/her last known position? • Are your other divers ok? • Describe your vessel? • What is the current weather?

13. Lost Diver • If unable to contact coast guard - ‘Pan Pan’ urgency message • Recall all other divers • Note local tide & current conditions • Request other vessels to aid the surface search • Can divers be put back into the water? • Can snorkelers be put into the water, may see bubbles from the surface? • Do not compromise the safety of the other divers by putting them back into the water if it is unsafe to do so

14. Take control of the situation • Overall control of the situation • Rescue Manager • Dive Leader (Most competent or experienced) • Delegate specific tasks

15. Administer First Aid • First aid is given to a casualty • To sustain life • To prevent their condition from worsening • To promote recovery • DR-ABC • Danger • Responsive • Airway • Breathing • Circulation

16. Notify the Emergency Services • As soon Possible Notify the Coast Guard • 112 / 999 or VHF radio (Primary method) • Communication at Sea • Direction Finding • Limitations • Antenna height • Low power transmission • Land obstructions • Log Traffic Report and radio check periodically

18. Information for the Emergency Services • Exact location & nature of the distress? • What assistance do you require? • How long overdue is the diver? • Do you believe them to be on the surface or underwater? • Any special conditions (diving on wreck for example)? • Can you mark his/her last known position? • Is the diver conscious or unconscious?

19. Information for the Emergency Services • What signs and symptoms are present, when first appeared? • First Aid administered? • Are your other divers ok? • What is the dive profile of the distressed diver? • Describe your vessel? • What is the dive depth of water and current weather as appropriate?

20. When Life Is In Grave Or Imminent Danger (Distress) MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY NAME and/or CALL SIGN of your craft (Three Times) MAYDAY NAME and/or CALL SIGN of your craft Your present POSITION What is the nature of your PROBLEM TO CRAFT OR DIVE Number of People on Board Nature of ASSISTANCE required

21. When no Imminent Danger to Life Exists (URGENCY) PAN PAN PAN PAN PAN PAN NAME and/or CALL SIGN of your craft (Three Times) Present POSITION and INTENTIONS Nature of URGENCY

22. Emergency Situation - Isolated Shore Dive “do you leave the casualty and go for help?” or “do you stay and continue to administer first aid?” • Poor Planning - Should have a Shore Marshal • Difficult decision - Depend on condition of casualty • Current medical practice suggests that early access to the emergency services is vital • If a stranger arrives - Request them to notify the emergency services

23. Monitor the Casualty • At all times be vigilant • May delegate to a competent person • Kept warm and dry and his/her vital signs checked regularly • Responsive and ABC • Complete ‘Rescue Management Sheet’ • Used to determine possible causes or course of treatment

24. Arrange Transportation • The Coast Guard normally decide the mode of transport • If transporting by car ensure sufficient oxygen • Maintain constant watch • Secure Casualties SCUBA • Send with Casualty • Divers Computer • ‘Rescue Management Sheet’ • Buddy

25. Helicopter Evacuation • Secure or stow any loose objects • Advise the casualty of what is about to happen • Identify a large clear area for winching, 15 metre clear radius • Clear away all non-essential personnel • Be ready to communicate if requested • Do not communicate with the helicopter during operations • Orange smoke flare ready to identify position • Do as requested • Do not touch the winchman

26. Peripheral Activities • Debrief Dive Group • Kept informed • Can provide assistance • Exercise Crowd Control • Add further distress • Be polite but firm with onlookers • Can be given a task • Contact a relative • As soon as possible • Presence may reduce stress

27. Questions?