In short:
A staff member from the Victorian private school remains in hospital after a near-drowning incident in St Leonards.
Students and staff were scuba diving off a pier when the staff member became distressed and removed their mask underwater.
What's next?
Ballarat Grammar will conduct an independent investigation of the incident.
A staff member from a prestigious private school in Victoria is still recovering in hospital after losing consciousness on a school scuba diving trip at St Leonards yesterday.
Ballarat Grammar headmaster Adam Heath said six students and two staff members were in the water off St Leonards pier, when a staff member became distressed underwater and removed his mask.
He then ingested a significant amount of water.
Mr Heath said he emerged unconscious and was immediately taken to shore and resuscitated by the scuba diving staff.
Ambulance Victoria attended the scene, stabilised the man and airlifted him to the Alfred Hospital where he remains in a stable condition.
Ambulance Victoria said due to patient privacy, it was unable to comment on this incident.
"He was in the ICU overnight, but they're looking to move him to a general ward at some point today."
Mr Heath said the second staff member who was present was receiving support, along with the six students.
"They're obviously quite distressed by what's occurred," he said.
"The camp was immediately cancelled. The students and other staff member were driven back to Ballarat.
"The six students were aware of the incident and heard calls for help, but they … only witnessed the staff member being taken on a stretcher."
Introductory scuba diving course
Mr Heath said the camp was an introductory scuba diving course.
"We believe the scuba company followed all safety procedures and responded very well to a very difficult and confronting incident," he said.
"But we will conduct an independent investigation and employ someone who has scuba diving, outdoor and risk management experience, just to make sure that the incident is fully examined."
Ballarat Grammar notified parents of the incident yesterday afternoon via email, noting the ongoing support being offered to staff and students.
www.abc.net.au
