Scubapro Hydrospro - ‘unconscious’ diver rolling face down on a rescue scenario

[Unna]

Hi guys,


I have quite specific question about Scubapro Hydrospro BCD in a scenario of an unconscious diver on the surface. I’m on my DM course and we were practicing rescue scenarios when this came up. Conditions were good, small waves and a bit of wind.

In a situation, this case just a rescue simulation, I find the ‘unconscious’ diver, wearing this BCD, constantly rolling face down.
I’ve tried inflating or deflating the BDC to find right balance with the air in, wiggledit it around to avoid the air trapping on one side only, removed the integrated weights or even tried leaving them in... the diver rolls face down like a log unless held in place with two arms. I couldn’t properly deliver the rescue breaths and hold the divers head on the surface while towing. I would need my both hands just to keep the diver from rolling over. Even my instructors gave up on trying and said we need to investigate the BCD and find a better way.

Same thing, though possible to avoid with different tow, is the tired diver tow. I would have to tow the diver holding the tank valve or arm in case the diver wouldn’t be able to keep their head on the surface and balance themselves. Even then the small waves were constantly pushing the tired diver out of balance.


Any tips or advice for suitable techniques with this BCD or maybe other back inflate BCD if anyone else ever had the same issue?


Thanks for any tips and happy new year

 

[-JD-]

I played rescue dummy this past summer and drove the trainees nuts because I would roll over as soon as they left me unattended. The 'trick' was for them to always retain postitive control - it doesn't require much as long as I haven't started to actually roll. Once it starts, it is hard to stop.

For reference, I was diving a light-weight SS Freedom Plate with a HOG
32lb wing and HP100/120 steels.

 

[tridacna]

Pretty much any BPW will put you face forward on the surface without the diver kicking back and actively maintaining a vertical posture. This is not an exclusively Hydros Pro issue.

 

[Bob DBF]

The only BC that will keep one on their back is a horsecollar BC. This is because it was based on an old Mae West life jacket, which was used by some for surface floatation before the advent of the scuba BC. Rumor has it the Mae West, or one of its clones, was modified into a BC and that concept went on to become the commercially produced horsecollar.



Bob

 

[Jcp2]

Scubapro stabilizer jacket supposedly also puts diver on back.

 

[BenjaminF]

Maybe don't inflate the BCD all the way and have some empty slack in the bladder in order to allow you to position the person in a better way?

 

[CanadaDan]

In that situation, depending on distance from shore and the person's type of suit, it may be best to remove and abandon the BCD. A diver in full neoprene should float rather well. A dry-suit of course is a different matter but inflating the suit instead of the BCD would help.

When in open water we practice this as part of our DM course here but always have another diver beside us to collect stripped gear before it sinks.

 

[digdug87]

Interesting. I haven't seen or had this issue with the Hydros in class, though I will agree with Tridacna, any back inflate or BPW will have this issue.
Have you tired having weights in the trim pockets or moving the tank lower?

 

[Zef]

...though I will agree with Tridacna, any back inflate or BPW will have this issue.?

Did my rescue class in a bp/w (dive rite voyager xt)....did not have this problem when I played victim. My rescuers (my daughters) inflated the wing until the OPV started burping air...the wing kept me comfortably on my back allowing each of them to tow me and simulate delivering rescue breaths without issue. Upon reaching the beach the fully inflated wing facilitated removal of the rig so that they could start CPR (simulated). I had more problems dealing with all the jacket style BCDs they checked out from our club to use for the course...the way they inflate made it much more of a pain in the arse to get the BCD free and clear of the unconscious diver.

Here are a few things to remember about a rescue:
1. The rescuer should maintain positive contact and control of the diver they are rescuing.

2. The rescuer should do whatever they feel is necessary to make affecting the rescue easier for them...to include cutting away/ditching gear from the diver being rescued or themself.

3. Lost/cut/ditched gear is a small price to pay for one's life. The rescuer should have no reservations/hesitation about destructively removing gear.

4. Real emergencies seldom resemble the controlled simulations and calm environments where training typically takes place. Real rescues can be messy, emotional, and physically hard on both the rescuer and the victim....CPR even when done correctly often breaks ribs for instance....victims often vomit while unconscious and rescuers, particularly in dive situations, rarely have pocket masks on hand.

5. Even the best training does not make things go perfect...it gives you the basis to react, perform, and adapt to the situation as it develops while implementing control in a best effort to keep things from getting worse.

6. Dead is dead...your efforts at best could help, but if they don't there is nothing you can do that will make anyone any deader than they already were.

-Z

 

[flyboy08]

I agree with Canadadan...remove the BC the rescuer will be far less fatigued not having to keep rolling the victim over.

My IST vest keeps me comfortably on my back on the surface.