Bubbletrubble
Contributor
I would hardly consider this the "go to" method for dealing with a panicked diver at the surface, though, since there are other methods to help the panicked diver establish positive buoyancy without exposing the rescuer to excessive risk -- and these other options should be considered prior to acting. Coming up under a panicky diver and inflating one's BCD can lead to a good outcome if the panicked diver is a small person/child and the rescuer is a larger person. If the panicked diver is a large man, however, the rescuer exposes himself to the risk of getting punched in the face, i.e., physically overwhelmed by the victim. Moreover, I suspect there are many slight-of-build folks out there who can be extra-feisty under the right circumstances. Suffice it to say, I wouldn't recommend over-sizing BCD lift for the sole purpose of being able to pull off this maneuver.4) It's nice to be able to come up under a panicing diver and give them some altitude while you figure out and deal with whatever their problem is. Getting a diver's head significantly out of the water calms them down quickly.
flots am understands this risk, so his decision is more of an "informed" one. I just wanted to make this point so that newbies reading this thread don't automatically assume that this is always the most desirable way to deal with a panicked diver at the surface.