Question regarding surface rescue...?

[igotag!]

I have made an online master diver quiz and I had a question in there that sparked a conversation over on scubatoys board. Here is the situation how I learned it: You have surfaced (safely), a bit later a diver pops to the surface in distress, you tell him ot inflate his bc, etc... he won't or can't do it. So I was taught to extend flotation...fully inflate your bc, take it off (rescuers gear is expendable) -> float it over to the victim in distress. The discussion came along when someone said if someone comes towards them on the surface they would want to submerge below him...my question, why not swim away? Looking for different points of view...

 

[DBailey]

In that situation, I would not give up my gear. Yes, I would be buoyant enough; however, what if the diver went back underwater, I would be in no position to offer assistance.

I would do the following to a distressed diver on the surface:

1. Communicate to inflate the BCD, more than likely, you'll be ignored.
2. If you have a floatation device, like an inner-tube surface buoy, push that towards the person. Have someone from the boat throw something.
3. Submerge, swim under/around the person, note the location of their inflator. Surface behind the person, cradling their tank between your knees, stiff arm the tank valve and you'll be in full control. Reach around and inflate for them, and kick off.

The reason for the submerge is that a truly panicked person wants to be out of the water. The moment you submerge, you are out of site, out of mind. The victim usually has tunnel vision on something, so you come up behind them. Brace yourself off their tank. Stiff arm the valve so their thrashing doesn't injure you. Ride it out a minute or two and the person will tire and then you can help.

 

[Thalassamania]

In that situation, I would not give up my gear. Yes, I would be buoyant enough; however, what if the diver went back underwater, I would be in no position to offer assistance.

I would do the following to a distressed diver on the surface:

1. Communicate to inflate the BCD, more than likely, you'll be ignored.
2. If you have a floatation device, like an inner-tube surface buoy, push that towards the person. Have someone from the boat throw something.
3. Submerge, swim under/around the person, note the location of their inflator. Surface behind the person, cradling their tank between your knees, stiff arm the tank valve and you'll be in full control. Reach around and inflate for them, and kick off.

The reason for the submerge is that a truly panicked person wants to be out of the water. The moment you submerge, you are out of site, out of mind. The victim usually has tunnel vision on something, so you come up behind them. Brace yourself off their tank. Stiff arm the valve so their thrashing doesn't injure you. Ride it out a minute or two and the person will tire and then you can help.

You left out ditching any weight that they may be carrying.

 

[scubaskipper]

You might also consider, drop weights.

 

[SelkieDVM]

In terms of swimming away vs. submerging - panic could produce an adrenaline surge (fight or flight response) which could result in them being much stronger and faster than you expect. Plus they could be stronger than you to begin with. So, simply swimming away might work, but my choice would be to submerge - the last place a panicked diver wants to be. From there you can remove his weights and inflate his BC. I learned during Rescue to stay well away from the panicked victim on the surface - I managed to submerge before he got to me but not before he grabbed ahold of my hair - and it wasn't even real panic. I truely panicked diver will tire soon enough, and then will be easier to control.

 

[igotag!]

Thinking about it there are def multiple ways to handle these sorts of things, depends on the situation.

 

[Thalassamania]

As I think about it, the first critical item is to establish positive buoyancy, it does not matter how: float, weight drop, BC inflation. One is arguably better than another,l but in the moment, do whatever is easiest and quickest.

 

[trtldvr]

Definatly, do NOT give up your gear! That is YOUR safety net. Two victems are never better than one.

Trtldvr
www.divealive.org

 

[ronbeau]

I have made an online master diver quiz and I had a question in there that sparked a conversation over on scubatoys board. Here is the situation how I learned it: You have surfaced (safely), a bit later a diver pops to the surface in distress, you tell him ot inflate his bc, etc... he won't or can't do it. So I was taught to extend flotation...fully inflate your bc, take it off (rescuers gear is expendable) -> float it over to the victim in distress. The discussion came along when someone said if someone comes towards them on the surface they would want to submerge below him...my question, why not swim away? Looking for different points of view...

What is the URL for your on-line Master Diver quiz? Is it based on NAUI, PADI SSI?

 

[Flightlead]

In that situation, I would not give up my gear. Yes, I would be buoyant enough; however, what if the diver went back underwater, I would be in no position to offer assistance.

I would do the following to a distressed diver on the surface:

1. Communicate to inflate the BCD, more than likely, you'll be ignored.
2. If you have a floatation device, like an inner-tube surface buoy, push that towards the person. Have someone from the boat throw something.
3. Submerge, swim under/around the person, note the location of their inflator. Surface behind the person, cradling their tank between your knees, stiff arm the tank valve and you'll be in full control. Reach around and inflate for them, and kick off.

The reason for the submerge is that a truly panicked person wants to be out of the water. The moment you submerge, you are out of site, out of mind. The victim usually has tunnel vision on something, so you come up behind them. Brace yourself off their tank. Stiff arm the valve so their thrashing doesn't injure you. Ride it out a minute or two and the person will tire and then you can help.

yeah, except the first thing I'm reaching for is their weight belt buckle or weight release mechanism, then the inflator. other hand underneath their tank at the same time to 1) support them and 2) prevent them from turning around and climbing on me.

swimming away from them - backing up while facing them and talking to them - can be quite effective in getting them to move to the boat/shore. I demonstrated this with my wife in the pool a while ago when she got a bit panicky and started reaching for me....backed up slowly just out of reach and she followed....after a bit "Why not just stand up honey?"