Thinking of becoming a rescue diver....

[Doppler]

You might already be one... an article originally published in the SDI/TDI eNewsletter

The Best Rescue Divers Don?t Have to Rescue | Doppler's Tech Diving Blog

 

[jar546]

Someone thinks you can still buy a ticket to Perfect World where every accident is avoidable and happens with warning signs. Yeah, right. Sometimes things just happen out of the blue with no warning signs whatsoever. Great article for prevention and learning to pay attention but a bit unrealistic in many cases.

 

[Bob DBF]

Amen brother!

The best rescue is one that doesn't have to happen.



Bob
----------------------------
A man's got to know his limitations.
Harry Callahan

 

[Doppler]

Someone thinks you can still buy a ticket to Perfect World where every accident is avoidable and happens with warning signs. Yeah, right. Sometimes things just happen out of the blue with no warning signs whatsoever. Great article for prevention and learning to pay attention but a bit unrealistic in many cases.

LOL... I'm the last person you can accuse of thinking "you can still buy a ticket to Perfect World..."

 

[DaleC]

I'm scalping those tickets for half price at the door.


I thought it was a good article and certainly something I agree with. While it may be true that one cannot prevent all adverse events I think the message is an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. A recent shore dive illustrates the point.

I was set to do a deeper dive with an unknown (to me) partner. The first thing I noticed was that she took 1/2 hr longer than the others to suit up (which tends to suggest either hesitancy or lack of familiarity). The second thing that became apparent was very poor buoyancy skills (basically pulling herself along the bottom. At that point I decided to change the plan for the max depth destination to a 50' range area that would not be damaged. I then noticed she had checked her gauges several times already so I signaled at 40' with the OK sign. She replied with the so-so sign and I knew she was not comfortable. I then brought us up to the 20' level where she signaled she was better and we did a short dive at that depth. Not what I wanted but I knew going deep in that situation was just asking for trouble.
She actually still liked the dive and afterward talked about several issues but it really appeared to be a case of dive rust and unfamiliarity with equipment/skills. Damn vacation divers! (said in jest but with a hint of truth). The solution to me was more boring local shallow dives instead of jumping into deep cool dives all at once.

 

[jar546]

LOL... I'm the last person you can accuse of thinking "you can still buy a ticket to Perfect World..."

My opinion of the article, not you or your post. You are often the voice of reason on this forum. You jumped the gun on that one

 

[drbill]

Took the equivalent of today's Rescue Diver twice. The only rescue I've had to perform was actually after my "rescue" during the certification process. I went back to retrieve the "victim's" kit which I'd attached to a float before towing him in and there was a diver in trouble. I thought it was a set-up by some of my instructor friends watching me, but it turned out to be legit!

 

[TMHeimer]

Good article. I may never see an actual emergency due to my situation DMing very few classes and mostly solo diving. Only do one or two charters a year (as a customer). I guess you'll never know how you'll react in an emergency. All you can do is review stuff and try to stay sharp. If all possible emergencies are prevented up until the day I hang it up that will be just fine.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

It's a good article, and relevant ... I've got two students at my house this week-end taking a Rescue class, and we just had some similar discussion yesterday while covering accident management. I'm going to print the article for them to take home after today's session ... it's a great reminder of the value of paying attention.

As the saying goes ... the best accident is the one that never happens. It's often because the potential victim is smart enough to either listen to their own inner voice or some aware dive buddy telling them today's just not a good day to get in the water ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[Ste Wart]

Rare that I disagree with your posts Doppler, but this time I do.

The Rescue course is for training divers for the 'fit hits the shan' moments everything else (i.e preventative measures) should be taught at OW.