Insights from Rescue for BP/W users
- Thread starter TSandM
- Start date
Please register or login
mccabejc
Contributor
TS&M,
I had the exact same situation in my rescue class. My buddy was wearing a BP/W or whatever it's called, and after I ditched his weights on the bottom and we surfaced in the ocean, I was scratching my head trying to figure out how to remove it. I finallly found a fairly simple way to do it: dislocate both his arms, pull them out of their sockets, and VOILA !!! The BP/W thingy came right off.
It was a good lesson learned for me, to know that it's an issue, and realize that shears are probably a better choice than a knife in that situation. As a result I went out and bought some shears, and now my expensive knife is gathering dust.
I had the exact same situation in my rescue class. My buddy was wearing a BP/W or whatever it's called, and after I ditched his weights on the bottom and we surfaced in the ocean, I was scratching my head trying to figure out how to remove it. I finallly found a fairly simple way to do it: dislocate both his arms, pull them out of their sockets, and VOILA !!! The BP/W thingy came right off.
It was a good lesson learned for me, to know that it's an issue, and realize that shears are probably a better choice than a knife in that situation. As a result I went out and bought some shears, and now my expensive knife is gathering dust.
Charlie99
Contributor
- Messages
- 7,966
- Reaction score
- 169
- # of dives
- 500 - 999
Are you referring to the change from backplates to BCDs a few decades ago?? :banana:Cudabait:
Good ideas, and another poster mentioned the difficulties a student had with an Air2. Obviously, exposure to a wide variety of gear is a good thing for the Rescue class. TSandM's instructor should be thanking her for adding to his class by having different gear.NWGratefulDiver:
mwpowell
Contributor
TSandM,
I've gone through the same situation that you describe. One thing that might work is to have the rescuer demonstrate cutting the harness, then you simply slide it over your head or wiggle out of it like you normally would while in the water. You might consider loosening one of the shoulder straps to make it easier for the class.
Mike
I've gone through the same situation that you describe. One thing that might work is to have the rescuer demonstrate cutting the harness, then you simply slide it over your head or wiggle out of it like you normally would while in the water. You might consider loosening one of the shoulder straps to make it easier for the class.
Mike
Cutting away your gear is a pretty desperate situation. Anyone attempting such a rescue has most likely gone through a stress/rescue class, and should be well versed in the procedure, and be carrying the proper gear (cutting device) to do the job.
- Messages
- 3,138
- Reaction score
- 4
catherine96821:
I'll give you my thoughts...
Effective CPR is difficult to do on land... much less in the water. I disagree with teaching in water CPR as the primary response... I believe it can be a waste of time. I believe that it is better to get the victim to the boat or shore without delay. If it is going to take a long time to get them in, given a long distance, then perhaps a rescuer would have little choice but to begin resuscitation. In that case there is little lost. If this is not the case then it is more prudent to get them out of the water as fast as possible.
Frequently, resuscitation attempts only serve the rescuer. Frankly, IMHO, a lot of the rescue class only serves that purpose.
As far as the OP:
The best way to remove a one piece harness is to cut it. In some situations you can easily remove someone from a one piece by using a chicken-wing maneuver. In some situations it would be best to remove it at the boat.
BTW, you only have to cut that harness in one spot.
- Messages
- 63,269
- Reaction score
- 16,551
Stephen Ash:
I agree 100% and was hoping somebody (besides me) would say that. As far as the eclipse, if you have a regular buddy, I don't see a drag issue for an ocean tow.(unless harness weighted) I personally wear a wt. belt like TSands, easy to drop. Then, I would adjust the flotation/trim for the tow. I have always thought it was sorta iffy to remove someone's flotation if they were not conscious. Very counterintuitive to me.
OP
I absolutely agree with Stephen Ash. Neither CPR nor rescue breathing is going to be very effective in the water. It MAY be worthwhile to try one or two breaths, to restart spontaneous respirations. But frankly, if you are without respiration or pulse in the water further than a few feet from a boat or land, you are not going to do well, and in my own case, I would rather hope nobody succeeded in resuscitating me under those circumstances.
Where the rescue training IS valuable, I think, is in learning to manage situations which have not deteriorated that far, and preventing them from getting there.
Diving rescue scenarios have far more in common with what paramedics do than what I do. What I do is in a very controlled environment, rich with resources and relatively rich with assistance. Paramedics have to be prepared to face all kinds of variables in environment and events, with minimal equipment and resources, and under intense time pressure. What the two sessions of Rescue we have done so far have shown me is how challenging assessing the situation, evaluating the condition of the "victim" and formulating the best strategy for dealing with the situation can be.
What I mentioned to my instructors and still feel is something not well covered in the class is the recognition of a diver who is LIKELY to get into trouble, before the trouble happens. The book talks about recognizing a nervous or stressed diver pre-dive, but I suspect there are a number of indicators that can be picked up underwater as well. I know from my own experience that rapid respiratory rate, labored or inefficient kicking, or persistent buoyancy problems can indicate heightened anxiety. In my case, failure to "scan" with my light often indicates I'm dealing with something untoward (eg. flooded mask, equipment malfunction). I'm not terribly good at picking those subtle kinds of things up in my buddy yet, although I'm working very hard at it, but people like Bob and my tech diving lady friend are eagle-eyed.
At any rate, although I may differ as to the advisability or utility of some of the interventions recommended, that's not a lot different from the ACLS or ATLS protocols
I still think it's well worth while to practice assistance scenarios -- for example, I discovered last night that, if I have to haul my husband to shore, it can be quite difficult to keep him centered over his back inflate BC, and if he begins to fall to one side, I don't have the body weight to swing him back very easily. Instead, I need to get under his shoulder and lift him that way. Good thing to know before I need to know it!
Where the rescue training IS valuable, I think, is in learning to manage situations which have not deteriorated that far, and preventing them from getting there.
Diving rescue scenarios have far more in common with what paramedics do than what I do. What I do is in a very controlled environment, rich with resources and relatively rich with assistance. Paramedics have to be prepared to face all kinds of variables in environment and events, with minimal equipment and resources, and under intense time pressure. What the two sessions of Rescue we have done so far have shown me is how challenging assessing the situation, evaluating the condition of the "victim" and formulating the best strategy for dealing with the situation can be.
What I mentioned to my instructors and still feel is something not well covered in the class is the recognition of a diver who is LIKELY to get into trouble, before the trouble happens. The book talks about recognizing a nervous or stressed diver pre-dive, but I suspect there are a number of indicators that can be picked up underwater as well. I know from my own experience that rapid respiratory rate, labored or inefficient kicking, or persistent buoyancy problems can indicate heightened anxiety. In my case, failure to "scan" with my light often indicates I'm dealing with something untoward (eg. flooded mask, equipment malfunction). I'm not terribly good at picking those subtle kinds of things up in my buddy yet, although I'm working very hard at it, but people like Bob and my tech diving lady friend are eagle-eyed.
At any rate, although I may differ as to the advisability or utility of some of the interventions recommended, that's not a lot different from the ACLS or ATLS protocols
I still think it's well worth while to practice assistance scenarios -- for example, I discovered last night that, if I have to haul my husband to shore, it can be quite difficult to keep him centered over his back inflate BC, and if he begins to fall to one side, I don't have the body weight to swing him back very easily. Instead, I need to get under his shoulder and lift him that way. Good thing to know before I need to know it!
cummings66
Contributor
I believe the course is a good one and I'll be doing mine later this year, and I happen to believe it's a good idea for divers to be exposed to more than the typical BCD.
- Messages
- 3,138
- Reaction score
- 4
I'm surprised no one has said it yet...
There's no need to practice a rescue in a BP/wing...
...'cause BP/wing users would never need to be rescued.
There's no need to practice a rescue in a BP/wing...
...'cause BP/wing users would never need to be rescued.
