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Chapter 33 — 7
RESCUE AND FIRST AID
TREATMENT
(
SEE CHAPTERS
39–42)
First
ditch the diver's weights.
The
diver must be brought to the surface and then
removed from the water
as
rapidly
as possible. Emergency buoyant ascent takes
precedence over concern for burst lung (pulmonary barotrauma) when the recreational diver
is unconscious. These unconscious divers will usually exhale passively during ascent as the
lung volume expands.
After surfacing the airway must be cleared and if there is no respiration, expired air
resuscitation commenced. Details of the rescue and resuscitation technique are explained in
Chapters 39 and 42. After securing the essential
basic life support
(DRABCD - rescuing the
diver from the
dangerous
underwater environment, verifying the state of unconsciousness by
the diver’s
responses
, attending to the diver’s
airway
,
breathing
and
circulation
) the cause
must be sought and
specific
treatment
started. Diving medical advice should obviously be
sought as soon as possible.
Diagnosis
of the cause is made by a logical process of elimination, taking into account the
medical history of the diver, the equipment used, the type of diving, the dive profile, the
events leading to the unconsciousness and the appearance of the diver. Assume the most
serious and treatable diagnosis.
Contact medical authorities (see Appendices A and B) with full details (see Check List
Chapter 39) and follow their
advice
. Transport may be required to a medical facility or
formal
medevac
may be instituted. Divers may be made worse by transport in certain
circumstances (shark attack, decompression sickness, pulmonary barotrauma, etc.) and so this
decision is best left to experienced diving physician’s cognisant with the prevailing
circumstances. If aviation transport is employed, the type of aircraft and its ability to be
pressurised, is also to be considered.
While waiting for assistance, administer 100% O
2
, if needed, indicated or if in any doubt
about the diagnosis.
Keep detailed records and ensure that these accompany the patient. Secure and retain the
equipment for future assessment.