Various Organization’s Management Strategy and Handbook on Dive Accidents and Principles

The dive accident management plan of Scripps Institution of Oceanography UC San Diego is not as lengthy as the Spring Lake dive accident management plan. The introductions are about the same but the Scripps Institutions plan does not go into as much detail as Spring Lake’s, for example it lists no scenarios for what to do with a certain type of victim.

The general procedures of the dive management accident plan are similar in that they both read to contact local emergency medical system. However, they differ with what to do while waiting for EMS. The Scripps Institution notes to establish airway, breathing, and circulation but nothing about a hyperbaric treatment facility if needed. It also states to contact the diving safety officer and their emergency contact person.

The Scripps Institution’s plan also lists the Divers Alert Network but states to call local EMS, SIO POC, then DAN. The DAN non-emergency diving questions and all other DAN services phone number is also given, as well as the University of California Travel Assistance Program within and outside the U.S.

The NOAA Scientific Diving Standards and Safety Manual lists the qualifications and diver experience/ training, tasks authorized, restrictions, and diver responsibility. It then goes on to unit inspections and pre-dive procedures. The diving procedures and requirements include the water entry and exit, communication, dive log and procedures, safety stops and reserved air. It then lists the post-dive procedures of debriefing and checklist.

The Townsville Diving Accident Management Plan goes into more detail than the Scripps diving accident management plan. It first lists what to do if a diver is missing starting with asking the buddy where the diver was seen last. If the diver has not been found after 30 minutes it states to call for help. It also lists what to do while the search is progressing in how to prepare to deal with a patient, which is to prepare a flat place where the patient can be lain down, get out the Oxygen and First Aid Kits, and to be ready to bring the patient out of water.

After the patient is found it states to follow the DRABCIS plan: Danger (do not endanger the rescuers or other divers), Response (check for response, if positive administer Oxygen and note the time), Airway (check airway is clear), Breathing (give Oxygen is breathing or give two rescue breaths if not breathing), Circulation (check for pulse and if none start CPR), Injuries (treat other injuries if any), Shock (treat for shock).

After completing the DRABCIS plan it is time to collect the patient’s information of their name, age and sex, signs and symptoms, dive profile, and medical history. The exact current location needs to be established and then Diving Emergency Service needs to be called. Prepare for evacuation while maintaining ABCIS and secure the patients diving gear with importance of not disassembling any of it.

It is important to document the events with the times and details. Including a list of all events up to the present and to send an accident report to the appropriate authorities. At the end of the dive accident management plan it lists some useful follow-up phone numbers including the Diving Emergency Service, DAN, Townsville Coast Guard, Water Police, Queensland Emergency Services, Townsville General Hospital, TGH Hyperbaric Department, and several doctors specializing in the field.