Diver Rescue

Ant Slegg · 15th January 2008, 15:44

Although not strictly only a rebreather related issue I hope you will allow me to make this post in order to publicise a petition I have created on the web-site of 10 Downing Street.

Petition to: Create a Rescue Organisation decdicated to the search and recovery of divers lost in the seas around the British Isles.

Thankyou

**PhilSiswick** · 15th January 2008, 15:47

Quote: (Originally Posted by Ant Slegg)

Although not strictly only a rebreather related issue I hope you will allow me to make this post in order to publicise a petition I have created on the web-site of 10 Downing Street.

Petition to: Create a Rescue Organisation decdicated to the search and recovery of divers lost in the seas around the British Isles.

Thankyou

Thanks Ant - I've signed.

Please do sign this one - this would address a very difficult situation that can arise after a diver is lost.

Could one of the mods make this a sticky for a while?

Cheers,

Ben Field · 15th January 2008, 16:06

Fair request, consider it signed....

While I agree with the sentiment I'm all for having a fighting chance of pulling a buddy out on the day- with that in mind a dropped an email to the folks behind the BSAC Dive Track competition of last year to see if any progress has been made towards something we can buy and use.

I believe the active transponder (the underwater version of an EPIRB) would be a great aid to diver safety and soberingly to provide full closure for buddies and relatives should the worst happen.

If suitable/allowed I'll forward any news here.

SteveJ · 15th January 2008, 16:19

Quote: (Originally Posted by Ant Slegg)

Although not strictly only a rebreather related issue I hope you will allow me to make this post in order to publicise a petition I have created on the web-site of 10 Downing Street.

Petition to: Create a Rescue Organisation decdicated to the search and recovery of divers lost in the seas around the British Isles.

Thankyou

I really share your sentiments but worry about the practicality of such a proposal. Are you hoping for an organisation that can splash in to find a missing diver trapped in a wreck on an urgent basis or for a less urgent response to try to recover a body?

If the former, where would they be based to cover the UK (& Scapa etc) in enough time to save a life?

If the latter, I cannot see any professional organisation working within HSE ACOPs allowing wreck penetration esp in the trimix depths.

Also, is there not some concern that central government's knee jerk reaction might be to try to restrict diving by legislation? Has to be cheaper than setting up an elite squad with helicopter etc.

Just my 2 cents. But I do share your sentiments.

Steve

Ant Slegg · 15th January 2008, 16:48

[quote=SteveJ;162641]Are you hoping for an organisation that can splash in to find a missing diver trapped in a wreck on an urgent basis or for a less urgent response to try to recover a body?

It would require an enormous organisation to respond within the <60mins required to effect a rescue and I appreciate that this is unrealistic.

Recovery by professionals doesn't strike me as any more risky than the mountain rescue type incidents that we see occasionally. What I'd like to se is a situation that differs from what I saw i.e. that after two friends of mine re-entered the water having already dived the wreck no other divers carried out a search (ROVs being used to examine the outside of the wreck). I believe that if the police and the navy are unable to do this type of search then someone else should be able to.

The option to ban wreck diving is unlikely (can you imagine what would happen in the Orkney's as far as tourism is concerned) but I suppose is not impossible.

**PhilSiswick** · 15th January 2008, 16:57

Quote: (Originally Posted by Ant Slegg)

It would require an enormous organisation to respond within the <60mins required to effect a rescue and I appreciate that this is unrealistic.

Recovery by professionals doesn't strike me as any more risky than the mountain rescue type incidents that we see occasionally. What I'd like to se is a situation that differs from what I saw i.e. that after two friends of mine re-entered the water having already dived the wreck no other divers carried out a search (ROVs being used to examine the outside of the wreck). I believe that if the police and the navy are unable to do this type of search then someone else should be able to.

The option to ban wreck diving is unlikely (can you imagine what would happen in the Orkney's as far as tourism is concerned) but I suppose is not impossible.

I think that you could also view this as 'allow the creation of', as was almost certainly the case with the Mountain Rescue organisations. One of the issues here is that, even if they wanted to, a group of divers is not allowed to access the site to conduct a survey, let alone a rescue, as an exclusion zone remains around the wreck.

A formally recognised group with a role in such an incident could at least conduct a survey where Police and MOD divers did not have the skills. This would be, as Mountain Rescue work is, under the supervision of the relevant Authorities (Police and Harbours in this case).

I am aware of several initiatives to put such a group in place in Scapa. There is clearly a wish and a need to do so, so this is a request for support to put that on a formal footing.

Thanks,

15th January 2008, 15:44	#1 (permalink)
Ant Slegg Still Learning.... Current Rebreather/s: Ouroboros Other Rebreather/s: Ouroboros Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Grevenmacher, Luxembourg Posts: 167	Diver Rescue Although not strictly only a rebreather related issue I hope you will allow me to make this post in order to publicise a petition I have created on the web-site of 10 Downing Street. Petition to: Create a Rescue Organisation decdicated to the search and recovery of divers lost in the seas around the British Isles. Thankyou __________________ Ant' S Learning to dive since 1990...
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15th January 2008, 15:47	#2 (permalink)
PhilSiswick WSKD 0001 Current Rebreather/s: Evolution Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 884	Re: Diver Rescue Quote: (Originally Posted by Ant Slegg) Although not strictly only a rebreather related issue I hope you will allow me to make this post in order to publicise a petition I have created on the web-site of 10 Downing Street. Petition to: Create a Rescue Organisation decdicated to the search and recovery of divers lost in the seas around the British Isles. Thankyou Thanks Ant - I've signed. Please do sign this one - this would address a very difficult situation that can arise after a diver is lost. Could one of the mods make this a sticky for a while? Cheers, __________________ Phil No comment on open circuit... it's an evolutionary dead end not really worth discussing here. Dave Sutton, 2007 I have always felt that the dive I am on is not nearly important as the dives I plan to be on the rest of my life. Tom Rose, 2007 www.hugsac.org.uk Last edited by PhilSiswick : 15th January 2008 at 15:58.
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15th January 2008, 16:06	#3 (permalink)
Ben Field CK+Shearwater Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: London, England Posts: 1,486	Re: Diver Rescue Fair request, consider it signed.... While I agree with the sentiment I'm all for having a fighting chance of pulling a buddy out on the day- with that in mind a dropped an email to the folks behind the BSAC Dive Track competition of last year to see if any progress has been made towards something we can buy and use. I believe the active transponder (the underwater version of an EPIRB) would be a great aid to diver safety and soberingly to provide full closure for buddies and relatives should the worst happen. If suitable/allowed I'll forward any news here. __________________ www.hugsac.org.uk Beware Fridge Suck
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15th January 2008, 16:19	#4 (permalink)
SteveJ New Member Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Inspiration Vision Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Whitby Posts: 98	Re: Diver Rescue Quote: (Originally Posted by Ant Slegg) Although not strictly only a rebreather related issue I hope you will allow me to make this post in order to publicise a petition I have created on the web-site of 10 Downing Street. Petition to: Create a Rescue Organisation decdicated to the search and recovery of divers lost in the seas around the British Isles. Thankyou I really share your sentiments but worry about the practicality of such a proposal. Are you hoping for an organisation that can splash in to find a missing diver trapped in a wreck on an urgent basis or for a less urgent response to try to recover a body? If the former, where would they be based to cover the UK (& Scapa etc) in enough time to save a life? If the latter, I cannot see any professional organisation working within HSE ACOPs allowing wreck penetration esp in the trimix depths. Also, is there not some concern that central government's knee jerk reaction might be to try to restrict diving by legislation? Has to be cheaper than setting up an elite squad with helicopter etc. Just my 2 cents. But I do share your sentiments. Steve
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15th January 2008, 16:48	#5 (permalink)
Ant Slegg Still Learning.... Current Rebreather/s: Ouroboros Other Rebreather/s: Ouroboros Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Grevenmacher, Luxembourg Posts: 167	Re: Diver Rescue [quote=SteveJ;162641]Are you hoping for an organisation that can splash in to find a missing diver trapped in a wreck on an urgent basis or for a less urgent response to try to recover a body? It would require an enormous organisation to respond within the <60mins required to effect a rescue and I appreciate that this is unrealistic. Recovery by professionals doesn't strike me as any more risky than the mountain rescue type incidents that we see occasionally. What I'd like to se is a situation that differs from what I saw i.e. that after two friends of mine re-entered the water having already dived the wreck no other divers carried out a search (ROVs being used to examine the outside of the wreck). I believe that if the police and the navy are unable to do this type of search then someone else should be able to. The option to ban wreck diving is unlikely (can you imagine what would happen in the Orkney's as far as tourism is concerned) but I suppose is not impossible. __________________ Ant' S Learning to dive since 1990...
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15th January 2008, 16:57	#6 (permalink)
PhilSiswick WSKD 0001 Current Rebreather/s: Evolution Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 884	Re: Diver Rescue Quote: (Originally Posted by Ant Slegg) It would require an enormous organisation to respond within the <60mins required to effect a rescue and I appreciate that this is unrealistic. Recovery by professionals doesn't strike me as any more risky than the mountain rescue type incidents that we see occasionally. What I'd like to se is a situation that differs from what I saw i.e. that after two friends of mine re-entered the water having already dived the wreck no other divers carried out a search (ROVs being used to examine the outside of the wreck). I believe that if the police and the navy are unable to do this type of search then someone else should be able to. The option to ban wreck diving is unlikely (can you imagine what would happen in the Orkney's as far as tourism is concerned) but I suppose is not impossible. I think that you could also view this as 'allow the creation of', as was almost certainly the case with the Mountain Rescue organisations. One of the issues here is that, even if they wanted to, a group of divers is not allowed to access the site to conduct a survey, let alone a rescue, as an exclusion zone remains around the wreck. A formally recognised group with a role in such an incident could at least conduct a survey where Police and MOD divers did not have the skills. This would be, as Mountain Rescue work is, under the supervision of the relevant Authorities (Police and Harbours in this case). I am aware of several initiatives to put such a group in place in Scapa. There is clearly a wish and a need to do so, so this is a request for support to put that on a formal footing. Thanks, __________________ Phil No comment on open circuit... it's an evolutionary dead end not really worth discussing here. Dave Sutton, 2007 I have always felt that the dive I am on is not nearly important as the dives I plan to be on the rest of my life. Tom Rose, 2007 www.hugsac.org.uk
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