Unconsciousness/Blocked Airway/Embolism

[wolf eel]

[lamont imo, in the absence of convulsions the best you can say is:

1. the diver isn't breathing and will be dead soon
2. their airway /might/ be closed and you really can't tell

because of the risk of a closed airway, dropping their weights and letting them shoot to the surface probably isn't the best care you can give them -- but would be preferable to leaving them there on the bottom. the best care would be to ascend normally with them -- although if doing that put you at risk at some point or if they were getting away from you, dropping their weights so that they would float on the surface would seem like an acceptable last resort.]

Nobody said anyything about dropping weights to put it nicely are you nuts ??? A rapid accent is faster then normal I have never ment for anybody to drop weights and shoot the guy to the surface that will kill him. But to do a rapid accent with the uncouncess diver with you. Thats a controlled rapid accent with full knowledge of the possible out come. But in any event you must wait for that convulsing person to stop then head on up. A good book you may want to read is deep decent as it will show you what I am saying. Those guys where deep and some had to do rapid accents and then right back down they lived. But it was a chance they took to help another. I hate to use my own examples as that may scare you away from diving here. And then you may say I need to seek a something to help me. LOL
Derek

 

[wolf eel]

[divemed06 A diver's airway can be obstructued if he becomes unconscious. The obstruction can be caused either by the epiglottis or surrounding tissues (this can also occur if very cold water is swallowed by the uncon. diver). That being said....in a rescue situtation, you don't have the luxury to make an educated guess in this regard. Basic first aid and CPR principles will tell you that you'll have to deal with the obstruction first anyways...only way to do that is to get the person out of the water (ie. ascend).

And yes, I am an MD (curently a resident in Emergency Medicine) and former paramedic.]

I mean this with full respect. Are you a diving doctor ? And if the throat closed off like you said would it still stop air from releasing. Has this in a diving accident in cold water ever happened before ?

Is their a diving doctor in the house.

 

[snuggle]

wolf eel..first of all this thread was moved here for a reason..we all know the reason..a doctor has commented and now your asking about his credentials?take a breather will you and dont be so defensive...i dont think theres anything you can say here that will scare divers from diving..hopefully others who are doctors can give their input here without someone jumping all over them..

 

[wolf eel]

[snuggle wolf eel..first of all this thread was moved here for a reason..we all know the reason..a doctor has commented and now your asking about his credentials?take a breather will you and dont be so defensive...i dont think theres anything you can say here that will scare divers from diving..hopefully others who are doctors can give their input here without someone jumping all over them..]

I need to be clear to you I am not jumping on him nor am I checking his creds I am how ever asking if his knowledge is diver related just because he is a diver means nothing. Please stop reading into what I say. I said I mean respect. That should imply I am not asking because he is a dumb *** but because diving medicine is not a GP area at all. It must be how I structure my sentence as it seems to you I am full of anger or something but I do have to ask do you yourself dive ? The other part was a joke for you and LIS. Please stop reading into what I am saying. And if the MD took offence I am sorry :god:

Derek

 

[BigJetDriver]

....in a rescue situtation, you don't have the luxury to make an educated guess in this regard. Basic first aid and CPR principles will tell you that you'll have to deal with the obstruction first anyway...only way to do that is to get the person out of the water (ie. ascend).

And yes, I am an MD (curently a resident in Emergency Medicine) and former paramedic.

Wolf, et al,

Divemed's basic point is very simple, and one that a lot of people miss. No matter who you are, you CANNOT treat the patient while still under water. You CANNOT fully diagnose the patient while still under water. The longer you remain under water with a non-breathing patient, the greater the chance that the patient will be asphyxiated (i.e. drown).

You MUST surface with the patient to TREAT the patient, period, full stop, as the Brits like to say!

BJD :doctor:

 

[snuggle]

well put bigjet ..and wolf eel..yes i dive..(removed a bit too personal remark - RM)

 

[pipedope]

Remember also there is a difference between a diver who is simply unconscious and one who is in convulsions.

I am not a doctor nor do I play one on TV.

If the diver's body is rigid, you probably need to maintain depth until they relax, then take them up.

 

[wolf eel]

I need to make this clear. >snip< when did I ever say to take your time I am of the other idea get off the bottom in control . >snip< I have talked this and many threads over with a DIVING DOCTOR thats his practice and only the phyics of diving. And many CD divers that disagree with most of the post.>snip< I am a very nice person who loves life more then most and I dive a whole lot more. >snip< My whole reason of the fact about embolism was so people may understand that leaving the bottom in a hurry is a good thing to do with a past out diver and not to worry as he will most likley not have an embolism. Thats it Thats all.
Derek
>snip<

 

[snuggle]

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[wolf eel]

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