Paramedics called at Casino Point - 1/19/08

[alaity47]

If the DM was close enough to "pop" her reg back in, she had a buddy doing the job. Why do people jump to conclusions so fast?

Also, the presence of a divemaster at all implies that she was taking a class of some sort, since groups out here generally don't dive with DMs.

It may have been a refresher course or a dive to familiarize herself with SoCal waters (and kelp) - but it might even have been her very first checkout dive. I had a few scary moments myself on my first dive (also at the dive park) - it's a far cry from getting certified somewhere in warm, clear water.

I'm having dinner tonight with some friends who were at the dive park yesterday; I'll post if they have any information to add.

 

[DiverBizz]

Regardless of experience...she did have an incident where she panicked and it almost was fatal. The park is host to OW students to the elite dive members of 3,000 plus dives, I am just sorry that the incident occurred and hope it provides us with a reminder of how important it is to remain calm if something occurs. STOP, THINK, ACT.

 

[drbill]

Wildcard's post made me reread JodiBB's post. I had missed the statement about the DM trying to put her reg back in her mouth, so at least the DM appears to have been attentive even if the buddy was not there (and I emphasize the IF here).

Although all good instructors emphasize the need to remain calm should something happen, that does not mean a student or a certified diver will do so when they are confronted with a problem. This is one of the reasons why I always stress that a diver really does not know enough about their "skills" level until they know, first hand, how they react in a real situation.

Heck, I know I reacted with panic once myself, and it wasn't that long ago. I had a low (400 psi) main tank, but was at the surface in a strong current hanging onto the current line. The current line snagged on my inverted pony bottle valve and kept pulling me underwater. Fortunately one of our quick thinking DM's (go Devin!) kayaked over and unsnagged me. My normal reaction to situations has always been calm, even when OOA due to equipment failure at 75 ft. However, panic did happen in this instance.

 

[Jim Kerr]

She did have a weak pulse, but was not breathing. I was involved in the resuce and provided rescue breathing and instruction to other divers who were all helping. I will post more later, but at last check she was said to be doing "ok".

I will add that her buddies (it was a 4 person dive) did a good job of signaling for help. I watched as they did what they could while towing her through kelp and agains current.

Good Job Robert! I bet you didn't think you'ld be using your rescue skills so soon eh? Thanks for the update.

 

[DiverBizz]

Although all good instructors emphasize the need to remain calm should something happen, that does not mean a student or a certified diver will do so when they are confronted with a problem. This is one of the reasons why I always stress that a diver really does not know enough about their "skills" level until they know, first hand, how they react in a real situation.

Good point, I was not there and cannot really say what she could have don't or what she did before the panic began. I don't know what I would do if I were in her situation. I pray that my training and experience (limited as that may be)kicks in and I do the right thing.

 

[Jim Kerr]

Heck, I know I reacted with panic once myself, and it wasn't that long ago. I had a low (400 psi) main tank, but was at the surface in a strong current hanging onto the current line. The current line snagged on my inverted pony bottle valve and kept pulling me underwater. Fortunately one of our quick thinking DM's (go Devin!) kayaked over and unsnagged me. My normal reaction to situations has always been calm, even when OOA due to equipment failure at 75 ft. However, panic did happen in this instance.

It happening to you with over 2000 dives just shows it can happen to any of us regardless of experience. We all have our limitations.

 

[Teamcasa]

All of us that dive SoCal with any regularity with do a round or two with some stubborn kelp. The first clue is the “I’m kicking but not moving, I must be snagged”. It’s what we do then that determines the outcome. If you roll around and thrash about, it is only going to get worse. I look for the offending stalk and remove it or point and ask my lovely bride to break it free. I do the same for her. Panic is never a good reaction to an unusual dive situation.

I hope the diver will recover fully and continue to dive.

 

[Jim Kerr]

All of us that dive SoCal with any regularity will do a round or two with some stubborn kelp. The first clue is the “I’m kicking but not moving, I must be snagged”. It’s what we do then that determines the outcome. If you roll around and thrash about, it is only going to get worse. I look for the offending stalk and remove it point and ask my lovely bride to break it free. I do the same for her.

I never thought of that. I'm gona have to go out and get me a wife now.

 

[Missdirected]

I never thought of that. I'm gona have to go out and get me a wife now.

Should I go and get a wife too? :14:

Good job Robert. Sounds like you have just learned rescue and used it to its fullest :yelclap:

So nice to hear that someone is going to be okay. I do hope she dives again.

 

[jgeldin]

Robert,

I was at the park with a group from South Coast Divers. I saw your quick reaction and how fast you got to the distressed diver to start rescue breathing. Thank you for your quick reactions along with thanks to the highly skilled rescue workers who responded in minutes.