Theunis
Contributor
I was diving 10 days ago on the Protea Banks, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa when our Dive Master had a very nasty mishap.
Launching to dive the Protea Banks is rather an effort. Launching takes place from a small harbour at Shelley Beach. Protea Banks are 8 kilometers offshore and launching forms part of the pre-dive excitement where all participating divers assist with pushing the boat into the waves whilst the skipper starts up the motors as boats are launched from the beach. It is, however, a harbour with a cement strip sloping to the shore and a radio tower controls the launching and beaching of fishing and diving boats.
In the process of unhooking the boat from the trailer, the Dive Master was standing on the front of the trailer when the vertical strut hook securing the front of the boat to the trailer came loose (as it is supose to do). The movable part of the trailer, to unload the boat, shot upwards, and our Dive Master let out a horrific scream. The divers thought that he has received a blow to the family jewels and would be up and running shortly!!
However, it was far more serious than that. When the vertical hook shot upwards, it literally hooked his scrotum through his wetsuite and lifted him a foot in the air. On investigation it turned out that his scrotum has teared, to such an extent that his one testical was protruding through his scrotum. Needless to say, this was a serious injury. Our Dive Master was rushed to hospital, but fortunately he did not suffer any serious internal injuries. His scrotum was stitched up and by now he should be medical fit to dive again.
The lesson I have learned was that accidents do happen. Not only in the water, but prior to launching as well!! Divers should be cautious at all times.
Launching to dive the Protea Banks is rather an effort. Launching takes place from a small harbour at Shelley Beach. Protea Banks are 8 kilometers offshore and launching forms part of the pre-dive excitement where all participating divers assist with pushing the boat into the waves whilst the skipper starts up the motors as boats are launched from the beach. It is, however, a harbour with a cement strip sloping to the shore and a radio tower controls the launching and beaching of fishing and diving boats.
In the process of unhooking the boat from the trailer, the Dive Master was standing on the front of the trailer when the vertical strut hook securing the front of the boat to the trailer came loose (as it is supose to do). The movable part of the trailer, to unload the boat, shot upwards, and our Dive Master let out a horrific scream. The divers thought that he has received a blow to the family jewels and would be up and running shortly!!
However, it was far more serious than that. When the vertical hook shot upwards, it literally hooked his scrotum through his wetsuite and lifted him a foot in the air. On investigation it turned out that his scrotum has teared, to such an extent that his one testical was protruding through his scrotum. Needless to say, this was a serious injury. Our Dive Master was rushed to hospital, but fortunately he did not suffer any serious internal injuries. His scrotum was stitched up and by now he should be medical fit to dive again.
The lesson I have learned was that accidents do happen. Not only in the water, but prior to launching as well!! Divers should be cautious at all times.
