from the MCA website

[Andy the Coastie]

Press Notice No: Duty 1
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Posted 16:54 GMT

SOLENT COASTGUARD CO-ORDINATE SEARCH AND RESCUE FOR SIMULTANEOUS DIVING INCIDENTS

This afternoon Solent Coastguard have co-ordinated two simultaneous search and rescues with regards to diving incidents on the south coast.

The first incident was just after midday, seven miles south of Littlehampton, where a diver had resurfaced and was found to be unconscious; he was airlifted by Coastguard rescue helicopter to Queen Alexandra Hospital. The second incident was twenty-five minutes later when two divers were reported missing at Outer Mulberries dive site (off Pagham Harbour, east of Selsey Bill) and were due to have resurfaced at 12:10 hours. The casualties were subsequently recovered by a pleasure craft which had responded to an emergency broadcast put out by Solent Coastguard. The casualties were taken ashore by the Selsey RNLI lifeboat crew, where they then received medical attention.

Mike OSullivan, Watch Manager, Solent Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre, says:

The diving incidents that we have assisted with today have all followed best practise and we would like to pass on our sympathy to the family and friends of the diver who we believe to have experienced a cardiac arrest whilst diving south of Littlehampton.

We would like to take this opportunity to remind the divers of best practise before setting out:

1. Be physically and medically fit, and have in date medical certification.
2. Practise all procedures, including emergencies in shallow water.
3. Have equipment regularly serviced as recommended by manufactures and check equipment in shallow water before full dive.
4. Carry surface location aids.
5. Insure your equipment against loss of theft.
6. Boat and engine(s) should be regularly serviced.
7. Boat engines to have propeller guards
8. Boat checks to include correct kit on board.
9. Ensure VHF radio is in good working order.
10. Oxygen bottles are full.


Most importantly is to know how to contact the COASTGUARD, and be prepared for helicopter evacuation.

[Lou]

Originally Posted by Andy the Commie

Press Notice No: Duty 1
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Posted 16:54 GMT

SOLENT COASTGUARD CO-ORDINATE SEARCH AND RESCUE FOR SIMULTANEOUS DIVING INCIDENTS

This afternoon Solent Coastguard have co-ordinated two simultaneous search and rescues with regards to diving incidents on the south coast.

The first incident was just after midday, seven miles south of Littlehampton, where a diver had resurfaced and was found to be unconscious; he was airlifted by Coastguard rescue helicopter to Queen Alexandra Hospital. The second incident was twenty-five minutes later when two divers were reported missing at Outer Mulberries dive site (off Pagham Harbour, east of Selsey Bill) and were due to have resurfaced at 12:10 hours. The casualties were subsequently recovered by a pleasure craft which had responded to an emergency broadcast put out by Solent Coastguard. The casualties were taken ashore by the Selsey RNLI lifeboat crew, where they then received medical attention.

Mike OSullivan, Watch Manager, Solent Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre, says:

The diving incidents that we have assisted with today have all followed best practise and we would like to pass on our sympathy to the family and friends of the diver who we believe to have experienced a cardiac arrest whilst diving south of Littlehampton.

We would like to take this opportunity to remind the divers of best practise before setting out:

1. Be physically and medically fit, and have in date medical certification.
2. Practise all procedures, including emergencies in shallow water.
3. Have equipment regularly serviced as recommended by manufactures and check equipment in shallow water before full dive.
4. Carry surface location aids.
5. Insure your equipment against loss of theft.
6. Boat and engine(s) should be regularly serviced.
7. Boat engines to have propeller guards
8. Boat checks to include correct kit on board.
9. Ensure VHF radio is in good working order.
10. Oxygen bottles are full.


Most importantly is to know how to contact the COASTGUARD, and be prepared for helicopter evacuation.

Edit: deleted - hadn't read all the post. Sorry

[resting rifleman]

no longer apropriate.

[Fiona]

5. Insure your equipment against loss of theft.


What the heck has this got to do with anything.

[Neil M]

Originally Posted by Fiona

5. Insure your equipment against loss of theft.


What the heck has this got to do with anything.

general good advice???

[tom]

Please, everyone, remember there's some very bad news at the start of this thread. Might not be the place for banter.

[Neil M]

Originally Posted by tom

Please, everyone, remember there's some very bad news at the start of this thread. Might not be the place for banter.

True... Sorry if I offended....

[Fiona]

Yes sorry Tom.

[DannyB]

Have just had a phone call, the littlehampton diver was someone I knew from an old dive club, taught me how to use a drysuit a couple of years ago. Apparently he was located unconcious on the surface, diving a meg rebreather, so far I have no further details.

Condolonces to family and friends

Danny

[Fiona]

Sorry to hear that Danny, please accept my condolences.