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Rescue Diver? Can someone explain this category
- Thread starter ktownyoyo
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Depending on the length of tow and getting the diver where effective chest compressions can be used it is looking like two initial breaths, IF POSSIBLE, then haul butt for shore. This is for SEI only. The changes are based on the new compression only CPR, what we know about how easy it is (or is not) for a stressed diver (the rescuer) to effectively get an airway and deliver effective breaths. Remember no pulse no oxygen is moving anywhere in the blood stream.
And no idea if this had any bearing but I provided some timed in water rescue swim data with two and single person rescuers over measured distances with a variety of divers of various skill levels. My own conclusion - in water rescue breathing with a single person greatly increased the risk of brain damage due to delaying effective CPR. Two person was better but over 100 yds you pretty much guarantee you bring a vegetable to shore.
In that class I had a PA with 10 yrs in the ER, an army ranger medic, a pharmacist, social worker, engineer, NE wreck diver, and health insurance company manager. Their own personal opinions after seeing what was involved with a rescue - screw the breaths in water. Head to shore or boat as fast as possible where they have a chance of real care.
And no idea if this had any bearing but I provided some timed in water rescue swim data with two and single person rescuers over measured distances with a variety of divers of various skill levels. My own conclusion - in water rescue breathing with a single person greatly increased the risk of brain damage due to delaying effective CPR. Two person was better but over 100 yds you pretty much guarantee you bring a vegetable to shore.
In that class I had a PA with 10 yrs in the ER, an army ranger medic, a pharmacist, social worker, engineer, NE wreck diver, and health insurance company manager. Their own personal opinions after seeing what was involved with a rescue - screw the breaths in water. Head to shore or boat as fast as possible where they have a chance of real care.
PADI's newest protocol is roughly along these lines as well. I suspect it was based on the same source.
R..
Goodtime Adventures
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To answer the original question, I agree with the others that if you're used to diving in holiday/resort locations having a DM is considered normal. But where local diving is concerned its often the exception.
Being more educated on the rescue side of things is never a bad thing though, regardless of your dive level. In fact there seems to be in general (in western countries at least) much more emphasis placed on being rescue and first aid ready. In many European countries for example, there are many TV commercials and marketing campaigns educating and encouraging citizens in a positive way to take part in CPR and first aid courses (anyone who has seen the Vinnie Jones ad in the UK will get what I mean!).
Rescue is undoubtedly one of, if not the most beneficial and rewarding course you can take. Easy, no. But totally worthwhile, absolutely. Not just in terms of becoming familiar with stressors and how to handle problems, but in becoming a much more controlled and aware diver in general.
Most agencies are now making a move towards getting students to be more rescue ready at an earlier stage in their learning. With SSI for example, the only Stress and Rescue course prerequisite is Open Water certification. Admittedly, most students choose to get some more experience in first to perfect their own skills and buoyancy etc before they start looking at other peoples, but its possible. PADI are also following this example. Its now possible in the PADI system for students who are only OW certified to take the theory and confined sessions from the Rescue course. They must be a minimum of Adventure Diver before they're able to be signed off on the open water rescue scenarios, but still, it allows less experienced divers to become more aware at an earlier juncture, which is never a bad thing.
Being more educated on the rescue side of things is never a bad thing though, regardless of your dive level. In fact there seems to be in general (in western countries at least) much more emphasis placed on being rescue and first aid ready. In many European countries for example, there are many TV commercials and marketing campaigns educating and encouraging citizens in a positive way to take part in CPR and first aid courses (anyone who has seen the Vinnie Jones ad in the UK will get what I mean!).
Rescue is undoubtedly one of, if not the most beneficial and rewarding course you can take. Easy, no. But totally worthwhile, absolutely. Not just in terms of becoming familiar with stressors and how to handle problems, but in becoming a much more controlled and aware diver in general.
Most agencies are now making a move towards getting students to be more rescue ready at an earlier stage in their learning. With SSI for example, the only Stress and Rescue course prerequisite is Open Water certification. Admittedly, most students choose to get some more experience in first to perfect their own skills and buoyancy etc before they start looking at other peoples, but its possible. PADI are also following this example. Its now possible in the PADI system for students who are only OW certified to take the theory and confined sessions from the Rescue course. They must be a minimum of Adventure Diver before they're able to be signed off on the open water rescue scenarios, but still, it allows less experienced divers to become more aware at an earlier juncture, which is never a bad thing.
Kevrumbo
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The combination of effective on-site management of a diving accident along with the rapid response by Los Angeles County Baywatch Lifeguards, or the U.S. Coast Guard, and swift, effective treatment at a dedicated diver's stand-by 24/7 Recompression Chamber closest to the most visited & popular dive sites in the Southern California Channel Islands can save a diver's life.
The best class to take for your area (Los Angeles/Southern California), where you learn to work as a team with experienced "uber-professionals" (Los Angeles County Baywatch Lifeguard/Paramedics and Recompression Chamber EMS staff & volunteers) is the 5-day Emergency Response Diver Class held in dormitory residence & in practical OW ocean at the Hyperbaric Chamber at Big Fisherman Cove, Catalina Island:
http://www.fire.lacounty.gov/portfolio/catalina-paramedic-operations/Course Synopsis:
Diving Emergencies
Only Knowledge, Skill, and Practice resolve them. You get all three from the Emergency Response Diver course. The Emergency Response Diver program focuses on practical field experience - what can and should be done at the scene of a diving casualty.
You will learn:
- The best way to handle a victim in the water.
- How to administer effective CPR and first aid.
- The techniques to use for beach and boat rescues.
- How to make the best use of emergency oxygen.
- How to efficiently manage the diving accident scene.
- Specific methods for aiding victims of hypothermia, near-drowning, and other diving medical maladies.
Practice, Practice, Practice.
The Emergency Response Diver course is field-orientated. You'll spend most of your time at, near, or in the water practicing rescues; or in small groups mastering first aid, CPR, and emergency oxygen use. You'll learn how to direct people at a diving casualty scene, how to communicate effectively with rescue and emergency medical personnel, and how to coordinate transportation. You will apply what you learn in practical and realistic field simulations.
Continuing Education
Accommodations
- Certifications for First Aid, CPR, AED, Oxygen Administration, and Rescue Diver are included with the course.
- 24 CMEs are available for DMTs
Accommodations and meals are included in the ERD tuition. ERD participants will be housed in the Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies dorm rooms and apartments. Meals are served in the Institute's cafeteria.
Tuition
The $675 fee for ERD covers tuition, room and board (Sunday pm - Friday noon). The course is restricted to 16 students. A $100 deposit is required to reserve a spot in the class. Refunds must be requested in writing. No refunds are issued after one month prior to the start of the class!
Note: For those participants who want to participate in the optional scuba dives, a recent AAUS equivalent diving medical, signed by a physician, and dive logs for the past year are required in advance.
Staff
- Gordon Boivin: Senior Rescue Swimmer Instructor - Canadian Coast Guard (retired)
- Karl E. Huggins: Program Manager - USC Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber
http://dornsife.usc.edu/assets/sites/222/docs/ERD_General_Schedule.pdf
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Jim Lapenta:
Just recently I took a CPR/AED class at work. The CPR part of it only included chest compressions. When asked why the rescue breaths were dropped the explanation given was: (1) for non-pros rescue breaths are not properly done and therefore the benefit is reduced or eliminated and (2) it is more important to move oxygenated blood ASAP to the brain to prevent injury. The time to partial brain injury could be a few minutes and serious debilitating injury or death can occur in 8 to 10 minutes. This corroborates what PADI taught in the rescue course. If this is true then I would think it would be more important to get the victim on the boat ASAP so chest compressions can be given. Jim Lapenta, is this what you've heard from your sources?
---------- Post added June 3rd, 2014 at 10:42 AM ----------
No need to respond. I didn't see the responses above. Sorry.
wspalding
Contributor
I just recently finished my first responder refresher at work myself, and we continue to emphasize 30 seconds of chest compressions followed by a rescue breath. I'm taking the PADI rescue course next month, it will be interesting to see what they emphasize for in water rescue.... rescue breaths or get to the boat as quick as possible. Since I primarily drift dive, I think in most cases in situations where I would have to execute an in water rescue, rescue breaths are going to be critical because it could be several minutes before you get the attention of the captain and get picked up.
scottishscuba
Contributor
PADI's manual says that rescue breaths should be considered essential because you cant (easily) tell if someone has a pulse in the water and not to try and find one. If there is a heart beat then rescue breaths are essential. If you are going to be severely delayed in getting the victim ashore by rescue breathing then they say to get the victim ashore and start CPR.
Incidentally my first aid course (taken a month ago) still uses 2 breaths and chest compressions as their CPR protocol and said that chest compressions alone were dubious in providing enough air movement in the chest. (St Andrews First Aid)
Incidentally my first aid course (taken a month ago) still uses 2 breaths and chest compressions as their CPR protocol and said that chest compressions alone were dubious in providing enough air movement in the chest. (St Andrews First Aid)
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I've taken EFR twice and St. John Ambulance (CPR level A) in Canada once. Will be doing the SJA refresher tomorrow. I wonder what will be changed this time. I've asked before what the reason is that CPR procedures change from time to time. It would seem computers have been collecting data on results of CPR well before even the internet took off. One change years ago was that everybody now gets 30 compressions per 2 rescue breaths instead of 15 for adults and 30 for small children. The reason given was it's easier for the layman to remember one thing for everybody. Even I could remember 15 vs. 30 and my memory sucks.
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