YOU get a dispatch to a " dive (SCUBA) emergency, being the first responder, would YOU know what to do until the EMT's arrive????

These are pics from one of the rescue classes I have taught, notice the "VICTIM" laughing near the end of the drill!!

Here is a basic first aid guide I have put together for police officers who happen to be the first responders to a SCUBA emergency, especially for my friends in the Southern States where diving is possible ALL YEAR ROUND, this may prove to be invaluable if you happen to respond to a call and are first on scene, with EMT's on the way.

SCUBA is an extremely safe sport, and true that diving emergencies are rare, they can and do occur. Even if you don't have advanced medical training as first responder to a call like this your efforts can be the chance for a successful recovery or " a bad situation".

Here are some steps that may be able to ensure a most successful scenario:

1) Secure the ABC's:

Just as we are taught in our basic first aid courses the ABC's are the same here, AIRWAY,BREATHING, and CIRCULATION.

Most dive accidents you may encounter will not involve a non breathing diver but it may happen. And to compound this the diver may also be unconsious.

Thankfully most divers that I know have taken a rescue class where a 5 minute nuero-exam is included in the course, and you best course of action would be to ask another diver to do this while you are doing the initial traige and treatments.In the event that you do encounter an extreme situation your CPR training should come back to you first and foremost.

A= An unobstructed airway

B=Breathing

C= Circulation ( I check carotid and radial pulses)

2) Recognize and respond immediately to the problem!

This is a must, being a diver myself I know that I would most lkely be the first one NOT to admit to a DCI hit. We are a strange breed, and some us don't like to admit we are fallable, in front of other divers especially. This where the "golden hour" rule will come into effect.

There are many different types of DCI hits, don't waste time trying to figure out the kind of hit this person has taken .

The symptoms of DCI hits are as follows:

extreme fatigue

dizziness

rash

mottled skin ( like Micheal Jackson only it's usually red)

visual problems

pins and needles feeling

numbness and paralysis

chest pain and difficulty breathing

loss of bladder or bowel control

walking like under the influence

3) If you have oxygen on hand administer it to the person at 100%

4) Contact your other local emergency personnel immediately (eg. Coast Guard, Hospital, the CG can be reached on Channel 16 VHF Marine Freq.)

5) The Diver's Alert Network is available 24/7 and you should contact them or have somebody on scene contact them ASAP as they can provide instruction over the phone, and make the neccessary hyperbaric chamber set-ups should the case warrant it. They can be reached via; 919-684-8111

6) Always keep the diver calm and laying on his back. If an air embolism has been suspected raise the victim's legs to 12 inches over the chest as this will keep the embolis from travelling to the heart and lungs. If vomiting is occurring the best thing is to place them on their side and clear the vomit away making sure the airway is clear at all times.

7) If the person is consious it is a good thing to keep them hydrated with water, or diluted down " Gatorade". You can give a few ounces every 15-20 min.

8) Have somebody at the scene take notes. This assists OR Doctor's immensely!!

9) Record the victim's medical history.

I use a pnuemonic such as SAMPLE:

Signs and symptoms

Allergies

Medications currently taken

Prior illness and injuries

Last time they ate or drank

Events that had led up to this situation

10) If the diver is able please jot down their diving activity for the past 72 hours as this will assist the diagnostic process in the hospital to see if it is a DCI, an embolis, or another underlying condition.

As you see LEO's can be an effective first responder in a diving accident situation, and you need not be a certified diver, ( mind you I would like to see all my buddies certified SCUBA, it is fun) !!

Tom