Informing the HM Coastguard

[Andy the Coastie]

There seems to be a lot of confusion about informing the coastguard about a diver with suspected bends being reported by a dive boat skipper. It is common practice with a well rehearsed routine that Coastguards are taught at our training school very early on during training, this is followed up by an exam to which we become coast radio operators ( like the old coast radio stations run by BT ).
The Coastguard DO NOT personally give out medical advice, but in the Southern part of the UK, will patch the dive vessel’s VHF radio into a MEDILINK call with the duty diving doc ,QA hospital at Haslar. The coastguard will monitor this call and will be typing what is said into a INCIDENT message, ( INCIDENT MESSAGE is a chronicle record system that gives a automatic number, this can be referred to at a later date if need be,,, it doesn’t mean that a helicopter is being sent to you .. Also all voice recordings are recorded ).
It is down to the duty diving doc as to what is the best treatment for the patient.
If he feels that the patient can stay on the vessel and travel back to the home port, whilst being monitored by the crew, then fine.
IF
However , he asks that the patient should be evacuated from the vessel, then that’s the role of the coastguard, normally we get in a helicopter which can take to the pot. Upon arrival of the vessel at port, the vessel will get a visit from one of our coastguard rescue teams to get some more details and also to assist in anyway. There is no ‘ telling off ‘, they are there to get info for stats and to make sure all is well…. (( and having them myself visit my charter boat in times gone past , is a comfort )).

Another point I’m reading is people being scared to inform the Coastguard. This I see in 2 ways :-
1). A charter skipper not coded and insured properly .
2). A skipper / boat handler with something to hide .
A skipper / boat handler that has supplied the coastguard with a dive plan for the day, as they leave a berth / slipway, also with a radio check is a safe skipper looking after his divers ,,,,,, AS FAR AS I’M CONCERNED.


Some need to try an arrange a visit to a coastguard station to see this method work.

hope this is helpful and cleared up a few points .

Rgds

Andy Nye
MRCC Dover
Diving Liasion Offier

[ratcliffe]

Now that is GOOD advice. SO basically, if you are not sure about something, contact the coastguard who can put you in touch with the best person to make the decision that you are unsure about.
Excellent.

Incoming green for that, because I have to admit I wouldn't have considered that as a course of action, at least not for the advice from the diving doc side.

[wreckferret]

Andy,

Good post. I hope everyone reads it.
Incoming green .

[Al_Star]

Thanks Andy - very useful info.

Cheers
Al

[Arfie]

Cheers Andy, it's good to hear it first hand from the professionals.

Arfie

[Andy the Coastie]

Originally Posted by ratcliffe

Now that is GOOD advice. SO basically, if you are not sure about something, contact the coastguard who can put you in touch with the best person to make the decision that you are unsure about.
Excellent.

Incoming green for that, because I have to admit I wouldn't have considered that as a course of action, at least not for the advice from the diving doc side.

Cheers.

haslar is our MAIN point of contact,,,, if thier chamber is full or U/S, they will inform us to the next closest available one. They have no way of getting you a heli,,,, as thats done by the Coastguard for whoever may need one .. ie police , ambulance or fire etc etc . (( we have a magic panic button ))

[Letz]

Thanks Andy

Is there a visit like you suggest? An open day or something?

[Andy the Coastie]

The other thing I failed to mention is that all sea users get this treatment...
ie , a cross channel ferry captain with a heart attack patient to Joe public on his brand new boat with someone with a broken toe .


I have used the medilink system a fair few times this year, and it's very useful kit that we have in the OP's Room.

[Andy the Coastie]

Originally Posted by Sixsquid

Thanks Andy

Is there a visit like you suggest? An open day or something?

There is going to be a open day at Dover, which myself and another officer are in the planning stages SOON,,,,, but we will not be able to take people into the Op's room,,, but will be doing lots of displays and showing the public the things that we do.

Each station has a DLO, If you would like to visit your nearest one , I can give you the person to contact.

[TerryH]

Originally Posted by Andy the Coastie

Cheers.

haslar is our MAIN point of contact,,,, if thier chamber is full or U/S, they will inform us to the next closest available one. They have no way of getting you a heli,,,, as thats done by the Coastguard for whoever may need one .. ie police , ambulance or fire etc etc . (( we have a magic panic button ))

And it's ours as well.
I'll be saying hello to them on Thursday when we visit :-)