Dead woman discovered - White Star Quarry, Ohio

[KeithG]

I certainly wouldn't. No rescue class that I have seen enables you to diagnose or assist a heart attack. If you think so, you don't understand the subtle nature of a heart attack. Heart disease is a silent killer.

Agreed. I recently witnessed a seasoned LOB captn going through the DAN checklist for DCS (or maybe DCI?). The checklist was pretty thorough. I would be surprised if anyone thought they could diagnose a random illness off the top of their head. Even if they were a trained doctor.

 

[ScubaSteve85]

I'd question the quality of instruction you received then....ours was an ER Doctor/Diver.

At a minimum you should be able to distinguish between a stroke and heart attack? No?

Who did you take your class with. I'm also in NYC and that sounds like a hell of an instructor. As a former paramedic, the rescue diver course has always seemed like a logical progression for me.

 

[ScubaSteve85]

Agreed. I recently witnessed a seasoned LOB captn going through the DAN checklist for DCS (or maybe DCI?). The checklist was pretty thorough. I would be surprised if anyone thought they could diagnose a random illness off the top of their head. Even if they were a trained doctor.

If you've seen enough people with the illness or you have enough experience, you don't forget what the symptoms look like. I would actually be surprised if a doctor or medic couldn't diagnose something like DCS, MI, or a CVA based on outward signs and symptoms, no less a very brief couple of questions. No checklist required.

 

[Bob DBF]

So maybe if someone watching her had stepped in and told her she looked too ill to be diving.....well, we will never know, will we?

If we were diving together then I would had said something like that or at least mentioned to the dive guide if there was one present. Otherwise I find it to be impudent to have suggest something like that to a total stranger.

May be it is because I'm old, or some of my regular dive buddys were from New Jersey, but when I see someone that seems to me to be in distress I will start talking to them. If they tell me to F off, I will. Sometimes someone only needs a little nudge to do do what they know they should do, just go home. If they don't dive I count it as better than a rescue, but as I said, I'm getting old.

What I want to point out is that if you make a mistake trying to help, it is only your feelings or pride that get hurt. Balance that against the accident in the making.


Bob

 

[Centrals]

I learnt from experiences that some people would not take kindly to any "suggestion" from a complete stranger. I once told a diver that she should practice more and received nothing but abuse for the bother.

It is easy said than done in this sad case. With hind sight, yes but who would take the initiative is something else.

 

[The Chairman]

If they don't dive I count it as better than a rescue,

Amen bro, amen! The best rescue is the one that never has to happen.

 

[Patoux01]

I would actually be surprised if a doctor or medic couldn't diagnose something like DCS, MI, or a CVA based on outward signs and symptoms

Then prepare to be surprised, because you're in for a helluva ride. There's hardly any "average doc" or "average medic" that is able to diagnose any diving-related disease. We see it every time when there's a rescue, plenty of guys have taken an ambulance ride to a hospital with no chamber, while the most likely think they had was DCS. Heck some will even tell the diver "you don't need the O2, let me take that off".

 

[Marie13]

If we were diving together then I would had said something like that or at least mentioned to the dive guide if there was one present. Otherwise I find it to be impudent to have suggest something like that to a total stranger.

Some of tend to not be on the shy side when it comes to putting our two cents in. I'd say something. I don't care who they are. Just yesterday at the quarry, there was someone in my group, who I'd met once before (was not diving with him), who left his tanks standing up when he went to get other gear. I told him in no uncertain terms to lay them down, which he did.

 

[The Chairman]

who left his tanks standing up

On a rocking boat, this is significant. On the shore, not so much. This is like divers yelling at other divers about their mask being on their forehead: Totally unnecessary in my opinion.

 

[flyboy08]

When you think there may be an issue and you approach another diver/ stranger, you say something to the effect....hi, my name is xyz and I'm a first responder....you look a bit .......may I cask you a few questions!

If they say F off....just another typical day in NYC......can't hurt to ask....