Quote: (Originally Posted by cedricverdier)
1. If the victim doesn't have a mouthpiece in place, the ascent should start ASAP- Do you think it's still important to swim to a shotline nearby in order to have a better control on the ascent (rather than a catastrophic scenario with 2 very buoyant divers...)?
- Is there any benefit in gently squeezing the air out of the the victim's chest? (I don't use "punching" anymore. Sorry for my mistake in english)
1. Unless the line is VERY close I'd probably go for the immediate ascent, I'd still try to re-insert a reg. But you have to think if you will drift much, not be seen quickly by the boat etc, so perhaps different in a significant current.
2. I wouldn't squeeze/punch at all, if the airway is closed (but a source of gas in place) then opening the airway (head tilt/chin lift) is more important. If the airway is open then gas will escape if not then squeezing unlikely to help.
Quote: (Originally Posted by cedricverdier)
2. If the victim has a mouthpiece secured by an efficient neck strap or wears a FFM, the ascent might be slightly delayed to wait till the end of the convulsion- - If the victim resumes breathing, do you think that completing their decompression obligation could avoid DCS or is it useless? How to properly check for breathing with a CCR and a FFM?
- - Is the Lung Overexpansion really a problem and does anybody know any other case of a Convulsing diver brought to the surface and experiencing bleeding or any other signs/symptoms that could be associated with it?
1. Assuming breathing I think holding a stop at least until victim is becoming agitated would be reasonable - if they become difficult/combative then take or send them to the surface. Could watch or feel counterlungs to check breathing.
2. I doubt lung overexpansion is a problem if airway is open.
Quote: (Originally Posted by cedricverdier)
3. Whatever the problem at the origin of the convulsion, there is no need for a diluent flush- - Nevertheless is it important to check the pO2 in the loop? to shut the O2 valve off? to open the CL OPV?
Checking has got to be a good idea - a convulsion
could be due to hypoxia rather than hyperoxia, a shame to ascend with a hypoxic victim when adding O2 or dil could save the day.
Quote: (Originally Posted by cedricverdier)
4. And we still have the situation of the significant decompression obligation for the rescuer. What could be the factors to decide whether to: - Bring the victim to surface and coordinate with the surface support? - Send the victim on their own for an uncontrolled buoyant ascent?
I guess this one is very hard to answer (but if everything was simple, we wouldn't be discussing about it!). I think it's better to think about these different parameters while being comfortable in front of a keyboard. At least it's a good starting point to prepare yourself to deal with a real situation with a high level of stress, so many things to do at the same time and so little hands available.
Thanks all for your participation. We all work with the same goal.
Cheers
This is very difficult, how much deco to miss and what risk is attached for the rescuer! Always going to be up to the individual, you might miss more for someone you knew rather than a stranger for example.
Just my take on some of it.