Should there be an O2 set on Dive Charter Boats?

[Humber Coastguard]

If a diver makes a fast ascent or misses a stop then there is a possibility that, as a result, he/she will go on to develop a bend. However, this may not happen and the diver will be fine.

If a diver has an ache or a pain after diving then it is possible that he/she is showing a symptom of DCI and has developed a bend. However, it may just be the result of a knock or a strain.

In both the above scenarios it is wise and good practice to put the diver onto O2 – I think everyone would agree with that.

It is also wise and good practice to inform the Coastguard.

We, HM Coastguard, actively encourage divers, not just charter boats, to call us if there is the slightest possibility of a diver developing a bend – ie fast ascent, missed stop, diver displaying a symptom which could indicate DCI.

Telling the Coastguard does not guarantee evacuation to a recompression chamber.

We want to know early so that we can prepare for the worst case – we need to know that if the diver does go on to develop a bend then there is a helicopter available and we know which pot can take him. If the diver does not develop a bend then all that has been wasted is a couple of phone calls.

We will put the diving party in direct contact with the Duty Diving Doctor at the Institute of Naval Medicine (or at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary if the dive is taking place in Scotland) so that they can discuss dive profiles and symptoms, or lack of symptoms etc.

The Duty Diving Doctor is the DCI expert (not the diver, not the dive marshal, not the boat skipper and not the Coastguard). He is the person who decides whether recompression is necessary or desirable. He does not always recommend recompression; he may just recommend that the diver is kept under observation by the dive party in case symptoms do develop later.

Any diver who is put onto the dive boat’s emergency O2 supply, for whatever reason, is a potential DCI victim and the Coastguard should be informed immediately.

For those of you who feel that you don’t want the skipper to call the Coastguard (we've been here before) until you are convinced that you do have a bend – just remember that a call doesn’t mean you will be automatically evacuated and if you think that you will get a helicopter ride because someone is ‘covering their arse’ - no one can make you get into a helicopter. If you don’t want to be rescued that’s your choice.

If a boat doesn't carry O2 don't use it. That is the best way to ensure that you only use the boats with the responsible, safety conscious skippers.

[Rod]

Originally Posted by Humber Coastguard

If a boat doesn't carry O2 don't use it.

I completely agree for once !!

[wolf_diver]

should have o2 onboard the dive boat, but having the skipper as the o2 administer offers him up to law suits and legal action, but setting it up correctly and handing it over stating that it is a medical gas and can help the person if they wish to take it would be better i think!!
wolf

[Midnight]

Voted for the second YES but would like to add that I think that all divers should make themselves conversant with all aspects of rescue and diver first aid including or perhaps most importantly the administration of oxygen.

Rocket science it aint and it could potentially save your buddy's life and just in case you have any doubts replace the word "buddy" with "partner", "wife", "husband", "son", "daughter" or "Fred", "Peter", "Angela" or "Caroline" and just see how you feel about where your responsibilities end.

It is far better to know what to do and never have to use it than it is to not know how to do it when you have to use it.

Regards
Safe Diving
Midnight

[Dave_S]

i've ticked yes the boat should provide O2. if you've a whole boat charter you may well bring your own we do, but very often i've bought 1 or 2 spaces for myself or a buddy and then i book onto a boat which provide decent facilities.

however i believe divers should be the ones to administer, legal issues aside, if you have a casualty who needs O2 then the days diving is over, i'd want to see the other divers being recovered and the boat making tracks to port, should a bend occur then your going to want them potted ASAP

to that end the skipper is going to be busy, recalling/recovering divers and heading home at top speed.

Dave

Ps. sorry i'd guess this answer has been given a time or two already but i've only just noticed the post.
D

[Tassie Devil]

Originally Posted by Andy the Coastie

Anyway, I would like to make a poll, to see what you as divers think.

This may be an old thread and I haven't read all of the replies to this post so don't know what the consensus is, but I am suprised that Dive Charter boats are not required to carry O2. Are these registered Dive Charter facilities or just boats for hire? There may be a distinction. As a boat charter operater it would scare me to think that there may not be oxygen available on site for first aid. I have 2 kits available in my business and will be looking to provide enough oxygen for every diver that I would have in the water at one time. This will mean getting a third kit!! As apart of our affiliation with a training agency, we are required to adhere to their standards for charter operations. However, as a commercial diver, I have also adopted my own operations proceedure that stems from my occupational diving. Would be different for "boat Hire" companies i reckon though!

[IanG]

Originally Posted by wolf_diver

should have o2 onboard the dive boat, but having the skipper as the o2 administer offers him up to law suits and legal action

Would there be a situation when a skipper administering O2 could be considered anything other than the approved procedure for possible DCI?
If thats the case then surely BSAC and PADI training would be open to the same litigation?

Safe diving
Ian
Dorset Charters - Weymouth Hardboat Diving

[sas steve]

As a Chamber operator I have had the opportunity to spend a lot of hours with divers who for various reasons have ended up in the pot.Without doubt the ones who have been given O2 immediately after the incident and continued O2 during transport to us have shown the best results for recovery.
Sometimes divers need several treatments and may have to stay for days in local B&B or Hospital whilst we continue to treat for residual symptoms.

The divers who decide that they will go home and sleep it off usually end up spending the best part of a week with us and probably get about 90% resolution as the damage done has now been somewhat irrepairable.

My advice is to admit your bent and get the O2 online as soon as possible whilst informing the CG of your situation,This way you may even get to go home the same day.
Steve.

[Outcastdiving]

i've never been on a dive boat without O2 on board!!! you'd be mad diving without wouldnt you????