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Diving Emergency Procedures

All divers should be prepared for emergency situations, both in and out of the water, since by definition, emergencies can happen at any time and require immediate and proper action. The three golden rules of emergency situations in the diving community are: prevent further harm for the group, remain calm and call the local dive safety authorities.

  1. Surfacing Unconscious Divers

    • It's crucial for a dive accident victim who is both underwater and unconscious to be brought to the surface as quickly as possible. The rescuer should hold the regulator to the victim's mouth during the ascent. At this time, the rescuer helps maintain the victim's upright position through head and neck support, and the rescuer's equipment controls the speed and buoyancy of the rise. The victim should be floated on his back with his face out of the water upon surfacing. If necessary, removing the victim's weight belt will make him more buoyant. Once on land or aboard a boat, a rescuer assesses the victim's ABCs: airway, breathing and circulation, as well as any apparent bodily injury and notifies local Coast Guard authorities. Rescue breathing or CPR may be performed. If available, 100 percent oxygen should be dispensed by someone trained in its administration. The victim's dive computer and dive gear (fully assembled) should accompany him to the hospital as either may provide clues as to the nature of his injuries.

    Lost Divers

    • For lost divers, emergency procedures differ slightly from land and water. In both cases, those on the scene should immediately radio the local dive authorities and pull all divers (via predetermined signals) from the water. It's important to make sure the lost diver hasn't actually boarded a boat or simply exited the area. Placing buoys around the area where the diver was last seen helps in the event of a long rescue. Surface air bubbles are a prompt for a snorkeling investigation. Questioning the lost diver's buddy regarding dive plan, where and when the victim was last seen, his air tank level, his physical state and his likely response in an emergency can help speed rescue efforts along. It's recommended that someone maintain a lookout from a high point, either on land or from the boat. When a lost diver is spotted, it's of utmost importance not to lose sight of him.

    Conscious Victims

    • Conscious diving accident victims are defined as alert and able to talk and breathe. If the victim is drifting in and out of consciousness, the rescuer must be prepared to evaluate the his ABCs and possibly perform CPR or rescue breathing. Local rescue authorities should be contacted as soon as possible---more than one rescuer helps in such situations so someone can remain with the victim at all times. If possible, the injured diver should be kept out of the sun. With the victim's permission, trained rescuers can administer pure oxygen while assessing injuries. If a dive buddy is on the scene, an interview can provide valuable information, including the possibility that the victim has decompression illness---in which case he must be laid flat on his back (or on his side if he's feeling nauseous or vomiting). The victim's full, assembled dive gear should accompany him to the hospital.

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