Oriskany Accident Managment Document

hchoat · 10th January 2008, 16:06

Following is the document generated by a working group consisting of Coast Guard, Navy, local medical and hyperbarics professionals, local charter captains, and local diving indutry professionals. It details procedures for managing accidents on the Oriskany (however, many of the suggestions are applicable to any site- as is some of the information provided). It was a pleasure to work with the other members of the group, and very informative experience.

Hope this helps to answer some of the many questions people have about the rescue and treatment capabilities of the Pensacola area.

Heather

Oriskany Dive Accident Management Plan
10 January 2008

Overview

• Getting a dive accident victim with decompression sickness or arterial gas
embolism to the hospital as quickly as possible is essential.
• Begin first-aid oxygen as soon as possible on the dive boat.
• Transport to shore on the diver’s own boat should be initiated as soon as
possible.
• Notify the Coast Guard of the accident on ship-to-shore radio Channel 16.
• Request that the Coast Guard notify Escambia County (FL) 911 of the dive
accident.
• Transport the injured diver back to the Coast Guard Station Pensacola pier.
• GPS Numbers for Coast Guard pier are:
N 30-20-67
W 087-17-40
• Baptist Life Flight and Escambia EMS ambulance will both meet the dive boat at the Coast Guard pier.
• The injured diver will then be transported to Baptist Hospital by the most expeditious method (typically Baptist Life Flight) for evaluation and treatment.

Pre-Dive and Planning Considerations

Recommended Diver Equipment
Should include a signal sausage, a strobe light, a whistle, and a signal mirror in case the diver is separated from the boat upon surfacing and needs to signal it. A compressed-air activated signaling device may also be useful.

Recommended Dive Boat Equipment/Training; (in addition to other standard equipment)
• Emergency Oxygen - should have two-hour delivery capacity (120 cubic ft)
- Diver’s Alert Network Dual Rescue Pak Extended care with MTV-100
(approximately $825) which has two Jumbo-D cylinders (advertised 120 minute oxygen duration)
or
- Steel/aluminum scuba bottles filled with oxygen (and clearly marked
as oxygen bottles) with oxygen-clean demand valve and regulator
• Cell phone as backup to ship-to-shore radio
• CPR training for dive boat Captain (and crew if possible)

Communications
• Ship-to-shore VHF-FM radio - Channel 16
• All Coast Guard stations in the area monitor this channel (Panama City, Pensacola, Destin, Mobile)
• Cell phones do not work from the Oriskany site

Dive Planning/Briefing
• Conduct a radio check to ensure ship-to-shore VHF radio is working.
• Coast Guard requests that boats not do radio checks with Coast Guard stations.
• Plan dives so that all divers reach the surface at approximately the same time insofar as possible.
• No excursions below the flight deck of the Oriskany for non-technical divers.
• If there is an accident, the dive boat will WAIT for all divers from that boat to be on board before transporting the injured diver back to shore.
• If the Dive Boat Captain is diving, there should be a crew member who understands the Oriskany Dive Accident Management Plan and is licensed to operate the dive boat present on the surface at all times while the dive is being conducted.

Dive Accident Management

Who Has the Lead?
• The Dive Boat Captain initially.
• The Coast Guard acts as the Search and Rescue (SAR) mission coordinator and activates the Escambia County Emergency Medical System (EMS) when notified of a maritime emergency.
• The Dive Boat Captain’s responsibility for his or her injured diver does not end when the Coast Guard vessel arrives on scene.
• The Baptist Hospital Emergency Department physician has control once the injured diver has been transferred to an air or ground ambulance for transport to Baptist Hospital.

First-Aid for the Injured Diver
• If a diver surfaces with signs or symptoms of decompression sickness or arterial gas embolism, perform the steps listed below.
• Remove the diver’s gear and have him or her lie down.
• Ensure that the airway is open.
• Start oxygen via demand valve or reservoir mask.
• Patient Assessment: perform a rapid neurological exam - a detailed neurological exam is not required at this point.
- If there are obvious signs/symptoms – not needed.
- If signs/symptoms are subtle – Baptist will repeat anyway.
• Monitor the injured diver closely for changes in status during the transport.
• Secure the injured diver’s equipment for investigation. Do not tamper with equipment; the Coast Guard will take possession of the equipment for follow-up investigation as noted below.

Recover All Divers from the Boat before Leaving the Dive Site
• No immediate departure with another boat then picking up the rest of the divers from the injured diver’s boat.
• Don’t plan on the injured diver going in with another boat that might be able to leave the site sooner: 1) all divers must be assured that their boat will be there for them on surfacing; 2) the Dive Boat Captain needs to maintain responsibility for his or her diver; and 3) transferring the diver to another boat would entail an unwanted transfer of liability for the injured diver to the receiving boat.

Begin Transport Back to the Coast Guard Station Pier on Own Dive Boat ASAP
• Do not stay at the dive site and wait for Coast Guard vessel to arrive.
• Baptist Life Flight does not fly over the Gulf to do rescues at sea.
• There is no transfer at sea to the Coast Guard vessel in the primary plan.
- Time-consuming
- May be hazardous to the casualty and individuals assisting.
- May not be feasible at all if there are large swells.
• A transfer of the injured diver at sea would typically be undertaken only if this would significantly reduce the transport time to Baptist Hospital and if the sea state allows.
• If the injured diver is transferred at sea, be sure to transfer the first-aid oxygen and the person trained to administer it as well.
• Docking at the Coast Guard pier – use the lower dock to the right of the larger pier.
• The Coast Guard Station Pensacola pier has a helicopter landing pad nearby.
• The Coast Guard will coordinate docking and movement of the injured diver from pier side to the helicopter landing pad.
• The Coast Guard conducts an investigation into any diving accident that results in death or incapacitation for more than 72 hours. Do not tamper with the diving equipment; the diver’s equipment should be turned over to the Coast Guard at the pier and the name of the receiving person noted.

Accident Notification – Emergency Medical Services Activation
• The Coast Guard is the primary communications relay point.
• Call Coast Guard Station Pensacola on Channel 16 VHF-FM radio.
• Coast Guard stations at Mobile and Panama City may respond to calls for
“Coast Guard.” Be sure to hail “Coast Guard Station Pensacola” when calling.
• The Coast Guard Station Pensacola watch will:
1) Call Escambia County (FL) 911 and notify them of a dive
accident.
2) Call the Naval Air Station Pensacola duty numbers.
Command Duty Officer Cell Phone (850-418-5175)
Commanding Officer (850-452-2713) (during duty hours)
3) Ensure that the Coast Guard Station access gate is open for the
ambulance.
• Escambia County EMS will call Baptist Life Flight Communications Center (850-434-4586) and notify them of the dive accident.
• The injured diver will be transported to the chamber by the most expeditious method – typically Baptist Life Flight - with Escambia County EMS ground ambulance as the backup.
• Backup telephone numbers for Coast Guard:
Coast Guard Station Emergency Search and Rescue Line
850-453-8178
Coast Guard Station Main Number
850-453-8282
• If no communications can be established with Coast Guard Station Pensacola, call Escambia County (FL) 911 on cell phone when feasible, tell them that you have a diving accident, and ask for them to relay your call to the Coast Guard. Request that 911 record your vessel name, location, cell phone number, and the nature of the emergency to provide to the Coast Guard when transferring the call.

Dive Boat Captain Passes the Following Information to the Coast Guard
• First Transmission
1. Name and location of vessel
2. Nature of distress – scuba diving accident
3. Name, age and sex of casualty
4. Dive profile
Depth/time
Gas mix used on dive
Time of surfacing
Omitted decompression?
Emergency ascent made by diver?
5. Presenting signs and symptoms
6. Current status
Conscious Yes/No
Breathing difficulty Yes/No
Pain Yes/No Where?
Weakness/Paralysis Yes/No Where?
Sensory loss Yes/No Where?
• Second Transmission
Provide Coast Guard requested information outlined in Appendix A

Which Chamber Should the Injured Diver Be Evacuated To?
• Baptist Hospital (Pensacola, FL) is PRIMARY
Two monoplace chambers
24-hour bends watch
Can do two treatments simultaneously
Can treat only one ventilated patient at a time
Does not recompress unconscious or critical patients
Staff trained in management of diving accidents
Has emergency room capability
• Springhill Medical Center (Mobile, AL) – Second Option
Two-person chamber
24-hour bends watch
Staff trained in management of diving accidents
Will recompress unconscious or critical patients
60 miles from Pensacola
• Capitol Regional Medical Center (Tallahassee, FL) – Third Option
Multiplace chamber
24-hour bends watch
Staff trained in management of diving accidents
Will recompress unconscious or critical patients
180 miles from Pensacola

* Note: Baptist Life Flight may or may not be able to reach Capitol Regional Medical Center without refueling - depends on flying conditions.

Who Makes the Call on Where the Casualty Goes after the Injured Diver Is Transferred to EMS at the Coast Guard Station Pensacola Pier?
• The Baptist Hospital Emergency Department physician
- Has responsibility for supervising air/ground emergency transport.
- This is not a Dive Boat Captain or Coast Guard call.
__________________

**rigdiver** · 10th January 2008, 16:19

Thank You Heather. Have some green.

***caveseeker7*** · 10th January 2008, 17:29

Indeed, and thanks for posting it here.

Doppler · 10th January 2008, 20:05

Thanks for posting Heather... helpful to those of us organizing trips there... will not be borrowing doubles from you this year though!

Take care

hchoat · 10th January 2008, 20:19

Thanks, we'll be around if you need anything, even if it's just pints

.

Peter Piemonte · 10th January 2008, 21:41

All that thought, and no mention of cardiac defibrillation equipment or training?

Short money for such an important piece of equipment... Peter

hchoat · 10th January 2008, 22:08

Quote: (Originally Posted by Peter Piemonte)

All that thought, and no mention of cardiac defibrillation equipment or training?

Short money for such an important piece of equipment... Peter

They were discussed. However, according to the medical folks and those who are familiar with them- the patient must be flat, which can be difficult on a dive boat deck (especially some of the smaller boats) AND (perhaps more importantly) the lack of a dry area for use was considered too big a hazard.

Ben Field · 11th January 2008, 08:51

Quote: (Originally Posted by hchoat)

They were discussed. However, according to the medical folks and those who are familiar with them- the patient must be flat, which can be difficult on a dive boat deck (especially some of the smaller boats) AND (perhaps more importantly) the lack of a dry area for use was considered too big a hazard.

I did a BSAC AED course just a couple of months ago, their reasoning for approving the training was almost the opposite to that- most boats have somewhere you can lay someone flat (if not its too small to be diving from!) and as long as the divers chest is dry thats all that matters.
The risk of a shock to the rescuers is proportional to the distance you are from the casualty even if they are laying on a wet deck, 2-3ft away you are completely safe, even 6" away you are unlikely to recieve more than an almost undetectable belt (and chances are you'll be wearing rubber!)

Secondly the proceedures and details listed are a great resource for diving the Oriskany and the team who compiled it should be praised but.... (no offence) shouldn't the vast majority of that data (with perhaps the exception of the specific addresses of the hospitals and coastguard proceedures) be knowledge that all divers have recieved during their training, particularly those trained sufficently to consider diving to those depths offshore?

I don't know what the typical diver training in the US is like, or who certifys the majority of divers (PADI perhaps?) I only know what we do here (In England under BSAC regulations) but I would hope the majority of my club members know their BLS (Basic Life Support) training, Oxygen Administration, have a nominated Dive Marshall, confirm dive plans with the skipper, know how to summon the coastguard even without the skippers assistance etc.

I know we have the advantage in the UK of almost total air support from the coastguard/navy/air force and in alot of cases can lifted straight off the boat within half an hour max but I would be very dissapointed if the divers and skipper didn't just swing into action without the need to refer to a checklist in the even of a DCI incident, its there job afterall!

Its a great resource and I don't want to take anything away from that- I'm just thinking that it smacks of "nannying" and is abit presumptuous? I want to reiterate- I thinks its great but I think its stuff that shouldn't need saying?

Just my very humble oppinion,

Peter Piemonte · 11th January 2008, 10:40

Quote: (Originally Posted by hchoat)

They were discussed. However, according to the medical folks and those who are familiar with them- the patient must be flat, which can be difficult on a dive boat deck (especially some of the smaller boats) AND (perhaps more importantly) the lack of a dry area for use was considered too big a hazard.

Heather: We train with these in aircraft all the time. There is a lot less room available to us in that application than on a typical cattle boat.

As Ben pointed out, the other concerns were not factual.

In my experience safety always takes a back seat to money. That I think is the real problem... Peter

10th January 2008, 16:06	#1 (permalink)
hchoat Resident Selkie Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Pensacola, FL- USA Posts: 220	Oriskany Accident Managment Document Following is the document generated by a working group consisting of Coast Guard, Navy, local medical and hyperbarics professionals, local charter captains, and local diving indutry professionals. It details procedures for managing accidents on the Oriskany (however, many of the suggestions are applicable to any site- as is some of the information provided). It was a pleasure to work with the other members of the group, and very informative experience. Hope this helps to answer some of the many questions people have about the rescue and treatment capabilities of the Pensacola area. Heather Oriskany Dive Accident Management Plan 10 January 2008 Overview • Getting a dive accident victim with decompression sickness or arterial gas embolism to the hospital as quickly as possible is essential. • Begin first-aid oxygen as soon as possible on the dive boat. • Transport to shore on the diver’s own boat should be initiated as soon as possible. • Notify the Coast Guard of the accident on ship-to-shore radio Channel 16. • Request that the Coast Guard notify Escambia County (FL) 911 of the dive accident. • Transport the injured diver back to the Coast Guard Station Pensacola pier. • GPS Numbers for Coast Guard pier are: N 30-20-67 W 087-17-40 • Baptist Life Flight and Escambia EMS ambulance will both meet the dive boat at the Coast Guard pier. • The injured diver will then be transported to Baptist Hospital by the most expeditious method (typically Baptist Life Flight) for evaluation and treatment. Pre-Dive and Planning Considerations Recommended Diver Equipment Should include a signal sausage, a strobe light, a whistle, and a signal mirror in case the diver is separated from the boat upon surfacing and needs to signal it. A compressed-air activated signaling device may also be useful. Recommended Dive Boat Equipment/Training; (in addition to other standard equipment) • Emergency Oxygen - should have two-hour delivery capacity (120 cubic ft) - Diver’s Alert Network Dual Rescue Pak Extended care with MTV-100 (approximately $825) which has two Jumbo-D cylinders (advertised 120 minute oxygen duration) or - Steel/aluminum scuba bottles filled with oxygen (and clearly marked as oxygen bottles) with oxygen-clean demand valve and regulator • Cell phone as backup to ship-to-shore radio • CPR training for dive boat Captain (and crew if possible) Communications • Ship-to-shore VHF-FM radio - Channel 16 • All Coast Guard stations in the area monitor this channel (Panama City, Pensacola, Destin, Mobile) • Cell phones do not work from the Oriskany site Dive Planning/Briefing • Conduct a radio check to ensure ship-to-shore VHF radio is working. • Coast Guard requests that boats not do radio checks with Coast Guard stations. • Plan dives so that all divers reach the surface at approximately the same time insofar as possible. • No excursions below the flight deck of the Oriskany for non-technical divers. • If there is an accident, the dive boat will WAIT for all divers from that boat to be on board before transporting the injured diver back to shore. • If the Dive Boat Captain is diving, there should be a crew member who understands the Oriskany Dive Accident Management Plan and is licensed to operate the dive boat present on the surface at all times while the dive is being conducted. Dive Accident Management Who Has the Lead? • The Dive Boat Captain initially. • The Coast Guard acts as the Search and Rescue (SAR) mission coordinator and activates the Escambia County Emergency Medical System (EMS) when notified of a maritime emergency. • The Dive Boat Captain’s responsibility for his or her injured diver does not end when the Coast Guard vessel arrives on scene. • The Baptist Hospital Emergency Department physician has control once the injured diver has been transferred to an air or ground ambulance for transport to Baptist Hospital. First-Aid for the Injured Diver • If a diver surfaces with signs or symptoms of decompression sickness or arterial gas embolism, perform the steps listed below. • Remove the diver’s gear and have him or her lie down. • Ensure that the airway is open. • Start oxygen via demand valve or reservoir mask. • Patient Assessment: perform a rapid neurological exam - a detailed neurological exam is not required at this point. - If there are obvious signs/symptoms – not needed. - If signs/symptoms are subtle – Baptist will repeat anyway. • Monitor the injured diver closely for changes in status during the transport. • Secure the injured diver’s equipment for investigation. Do not tamper with equipment; the Coast Guard will take possession of the equipment for follow-up investigation as noted below. Recover All Divers from the Boat before Leaving the Dive Site • No immediate departure with another boat then picking up the rest of the divers from the injured diver’s boat. • Don’t plan on the injured diver going in with another boat that might be able to leave the site sooner: 1) all divers must be assured that their boat will be there for them on surfacing; 2) the Dive Boat Captain needs to maintain responsibility for his or her diver; and 3) transferring the diver to another boat would entail an unwanted transfer of liability for the injured diver to the receiving boat. Begin Transport Back to the Coast Guard Station Pier on Own Dive Boat ASAP • Do not stay at the dive site and wait for Coast Guard vessel to arrive. • Baptist Life Flight does not fly over the Gulf to do rescues at sea. • There is no transfer at sea to the Coast Guard vessel in the primary plan. - Time-consuming - May be hazardous to the casualty and individuals assisting. - May not be feasible at all if there are large swells. • A transfer of the injured diver at sea would typically be undertaken only if this would significantly reduce the transport time to Baptist Hospital and if the sea state allows. • If the injured diver is transferred at sea, be sure to transfer the first-aid oxygen and the person trained to administer it as well. • Docking at the Coast Guard pier – use the lower dock to the right of the larger pier. • The Coast Guard Station Pensacola pier has a helicopter landing pad nearby. • The Coast Guard will coordinate docking and movement of the injured diver from pier side to the helicopter landing pad. • The Coast Guard conducts an investigation into any diving accident that results in death or incapacitation for more than 72 hours. Do not tamper with the diving equipment; the diver’s equipment should be turned over to the Coast Guard at the pier and the name of the receiving person noted. Accident Notification – Emergency Medical Services Activation • The Coast Guard is the primary communications relay point. • Call Coast Guard Station Pensacola on Channel 16 VHF-FM radio. • Coast Guard stations at Mobile and Panama City may respond to calls for “Coast Guard.” Be sure to hail “Coast Guard Station Pensacola” when calling. • The Coast Guard Station Pensacola watch will: 1) Call Escambia County (FL) 911 and notify them of a dive accident. 2) Call the Naval Air Station Pensacola duty numbers. Command Duty Officer Cell Phone (850-418-5175) Commanding Officer (850-452-2713) (during duty hours) 3) Ensure that the Coast Guard Station access gate is open for the ambulance. • Escambia County EMS will call Baptist Life Flight Communications Center (850-434-4586) and notify them of the dive accident. • The injured diver will be transported to the chamber by the most expeditious method – typically Baptist Life Flight - with Escambia County EMS ground ambulance as the backup. • Backup telephone numbers for Coast Guard: Coast Guard Station Emergency Search and Rescue Line 850-453-8178 Coast Guard Station Main Number 850-453-8282 • If no communications can be established with Coast Guard Station Pensacola, call Escambia County (FL) 911 on cell phone when feasible, tell them that you have a diving accident, and ask for them to relay your call to the Coast Guard. Request that 911 record your vessel name, location, cell phone number, and the nature of the emergency to provide to the Coast Guard when transferring the call. Dive Boat Captain Passes the Following Information to the Coast Guard • First Transmission 1. Name and location of vessel 2. Nature of distress – scuba diving accident 3. Name, age and sex of casualty 4. Dive profile Depth/time Gas mix used on dive Time of surfacing Omitted decompression? Emergency ascent made by diver? 5. Presenting signs and symptoms 6. Current status Conscious Yes/No Breathing difficulty Yes/No Pain Yes/No Where? Weakness/Paralysis Yes/No Where? Sensory loss Yes/No Where? • Second Transmission Provide Coast Guard requested information outlined in Appendix A Which Chamber Should the Injured Diver Be Evacuated To? • Baptist Hospital (Pensacola, FL) is PRIMARY Two monoplace chambers 24-hour bends watch Can do two treatments simultaneously Can treat only one ventilated patient at a time Does not recompress unconscious or critical patients Staff trained in management of diving accidents Has emergency room capability • Springhill Medical Center (Mobile, AL) – Second Option Two-person chamber 24-hour bends watch Staff trained in management of diving accidents Will recompress unconscious or critical patients 60 miles from Pensacola • Capitol Regional Medical Center (Tallahassee, FL) – Third Option Multiplace chamber 24-hour bends watch Staff trained in management of diving accidents Will recompress unconscious or critical patients 180 miles from Pensacola * Note: Baptist Life Flight may or may not be able to reach Capitol Regional Medical Center without refueling - depends on flying conditions. Who Makes the Call on Where the Casualty Goes after the Injured Diver Is Transferred to EMS at the Coast Guard Station Pensacola Pier? • The Baptist Hospital Emergency Department physician - Has responsibility for supervising air/ground emergency transport. - This is not a Dive Boat Captain or Coast Guard call. __________________ __________________ Duct tape is like the force... it has a light side and dark side, and it holds the universe together.
(Offline)

10th January 2008, 16:19	#2 (permalink)
rigdiver LEARNING CONTINUALLY Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Megalodon Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: TEXAS Posts: 405	Re: Oriskany Accident Managment Document Thank You Heather. Have some green.
(Offline)

10th January 2008, 17:29	#3 (permalink)
*caveseeker7* Who loves ya, baby Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Too far from Neverland Posts: 5,280	Re: Oriskany Accident Managment Document Indeed, and thanks for posting it here. __________________ Cheers Stefan Be Water, My Friend - Bruce Lee Sponsor Lou in Race For Life!
(Offline)

10th January 2008, 20:05	#4 (permalink)
Doppler Cut along dotted line... Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Evolution Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Not Basingstoke... thank god Posts: 167	Re: Oriskany Accident Managment Document Thanks for posting Heather... helpful to those of us organizing trips there... will not be borrowing doubles from you this year though! Take care
(Offline)

10th January 2008, 20:19	#5 (permalink)
hchoat Resident Selkie Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Pensacola, FL- USA Posts: 220	Re: Oriskany Accident Managment Document Thanks, we'll be around if you need anything, even if it's just pints . __________________ Duct tape is like the force... it has a light side and dark side, and it holds the universe together.
(Offline)

10th January 2008, 21:41	#6 (permalink)
Peter Piemonte KISS and rEvo diver Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss rEvo Other Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss rEvo Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Massachusetts, USA Posts: 135	Re: Oriskany Accident Managment Document All that thought, and no mention of cardiac defibrillation equipment or training? Short money for such an important piece of equipment... Peter
(Online)

10th January 2008, 22:08	#7 (permalink)
hchoat Resident Selkie Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Pensacola, FL- USA Posts: 220	Re: Oriskany Accident Managment Document Quote: (Originally Posted by Peter Piemonte) All that thought, and no mention of cardiac defibrillation equipment or training? Short money for such an important piece of equipment... Peter They were discussed. However, according to the medical folks and those who are familiar with them- the patient must be flat, which can be difficult on a dive boat deck (especially some of the smaller boats) AND (perhaps more importantly) the lack of a dry area for use was considered too big a hazard. __________________ Duct tape is like the force... it has a light side and dark side, and it holds the universe together.
(Offline)

11th January 2008, 08:51	#8 (permalink)
Ben Field CK+Shearwater Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: London, England Posts: 1,442	Re: Oriskany Accident Managment Document Quote: (Originally Posted by hchoat) They were discussed. However, according to the medical folks and those who are familiar with them- the patient must be flat, which can be difficult on a dive boat deck (especially some of the smaller boats) AND (perhaps more importantly) the lack of a dry area for use was considered too big a hazard. I did a BSAC AED course just a couple of months ago, their reasoning for approving the training was almost the opposite to that- most boats have somewhere you can lay someone flat (if not its too small to be diving from!) and as long as the divers chest is dry thats all that matters. The risk of a shock to the rescuers is proportional to the distance you are from the casualty even if they are laying on a wet deck, 2-3ft away you are completely safe, even 6" away you are unlikely to recieve more than an almost undetectable belt (and chances are you'll be wearing rubber!) Secondly the proceedures and details listed are a great resource for diving the Oriskany and the team who compiled it should be praised but.... (no offence) shouldn't the vast majority of that data (with perhaps the exception of the specific addresses of the hospitals and coastguard proceedures) be knowledge that all divers have recieved during their training, particularly those trained sufficently to consider diving to those depths offshore? I don't know what the typical diver training in the US is like, or who certifys the majority of divers (PADI perhaps?) I only know what we do here (In England under BSAC regulations) but I would hope the majority of my club members know their BLS (Basic Life Support) training, Oxygen Administration, have a nominated Dive Marshall, confirm dive plans with the skipper, know how to summon the coastguard even without the skippers assistance etc. I know we have the advantage in the UK of almost total air support from the coastguard/navy/air force and in alot of cases can lifted straight off the boat within half an hour max but I would be very dissapointed if the divers and skipper didn't just swing into action without the need to refer to a checklist in the even of a DCI incident, its there job afterall! Its a great resource and I don't want to take anything away from that- I'm just thinking that it smacks of "nannying" and is abit presumptuous? I want to reiterate- I thinks its great but I think its stuff that shouldn't need saying? Just my very humble oppinion, __________________ www.hugsac.org.uk Beware Fridge Suck
(Offline)

11th January 2008, 10:40	#9 (permalink)
Peter Piemonte KISS and rEvo diver Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss rEvo Other Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss rEvo Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Massachusetts, USA Posts: 135	Re: Oriskany Accident Managment Document Quote: (Originally Posted by hchoat) They were discussed. However, according to the medical folks and those who are familiar with them- the patient must be flat, which can be difficult on a dive boat deck (especially some of the smaller boats) AND (perhaps more importantly) the lack of a dry area for use was considered too big a hazard. Heather: We train with these in aircraft all the time. There is a lot less room available to us in that application than on a typical cattle boat. As Ben pointed out, the other concerns were not factual. In my experience safety always takes a back seat to money. That I think is the real problem... Peter
(Online)

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode