How to Prepare For a Scuba Diving Emergency
Regardless how good and experienced a diver is, an emergency can happen in and outside of the water.
Problems can arise without any signal or warning due to medical conditions, sudden change in the environment or equipment failure.
However, the cause of most scuba diver emergencies is poor judgment.
Following some important pointer to be prepared for a scuba diver emergency.
Have a well stocked first aid kit and know how to use it.
Most items in the first aid kit are meant to deal with minor problems or injuries.
Many organizations have well equipped first aid kids for sale which you might want to stock up for scuba diving specific needs.
For your own protection the kit should include disposable vinyl or latex gloves, a pocket mask with a one-way valve for rescue breathing an unresponsive diver and a face mask to avoid inhaling infectious organisms.
Check frequently if the items are not expired.
The whole first aid items need to be stored in a noncorrosive, waterproof case to protect the equipment.
It should also include a slate or laminated sheet with all important emergency numbers of the area you are diving in to be able to call for help immediately.
Some coins for using a pay phone might be also helpful.
Don't hesitate to ask your local dive-center for the latest emergency assistance plan.
Have an emergency oxygen delivery system available.
Case studies have shown that administering Oxygen is the most important first aid step for scuba diving related accidents.
If emergency oxygen is not available, breathing Nitrox (enriched Air with more than 21% O2) also helps.
Be prepared and keep your first Aid skills up to date.
Many organizations offer valuable Medic First Aid Courses for a relative small price.
You should attend at least once a year a refresher course to be up to data and ready to use your skills.
A medic first aid course is also a prerequisite to enroll in the PADI Rescue diver course.
PADI also offers their own version of the medic first aid course (MFA) called Emergency First Response (EFR).
Ideally you never need to use any of the above mentioned points, however, be prepared to help and assist in any case of emergency.
Problems can arise without any signal or warning due to medical conditions, sudden change in the environment or equipment failure.
However, the cause of most scuba diver emergencies is poor judgment.
Following some important pointer to be prepared for a scuba diver emergency.
Have a well stocked first aid kit and know how to use it.
Most items in the first aid kit are meant to deal with minor problems or injuries.
Many organizations have well equipped first aid kids for sale which you might want to stock up for scuba diving specific needs.
For your own protection the kit should include disposable vinyl or latex gloves, a pocket mask with a one-way valve for rescue breathing an unresponsive diver and a face mask to avoid inhaling infectious organisms.
Check frequently if the items are not expired.
The whole first aid items need to be stored in a noncorrosive, waterproof case to protect the equipment.
It should also include a slate or laminated sheet with all important emergency numbers of the area you are diving in to be able to call for help immediately.
Some coins for using a pay phone might be also helpful.
Don't hesitate to ask your local dive-center for the latest emergency assistance plan.
Have an emergency oxygen delivery system available.
Case studies have shown that administering Oxygen is the most important first aid step for scuba diving related accidents.
If emergency oxygen is not available, breathing Nitrox (enriched Air with more than 21% O2) also helps.
Be prepared and keep your first Aid skills up to date.
Many organizations offer valuable Medic First Aid Courses for a relative small price.
You should attend at least once a year a refresher course to be up to data and ready to use your skills.
A medic first aid course is also a prerequisite to enroll in the PADI Rescue diver course.
PADI also offers their own version of the medic first aid course (MFA) called Emergency First Response (EFR).
Ideally you never need to use any of the above mentioned points, however, be prepared to help and assist in any case of emergency.
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