Rescue Diver

Three primary types of emergency oxygen systems , but only use two in PADI

1. non resuscitator demand valve system 2. continuous flow system 3. positive pressure resuscitator system

3 Alternate air source locations

1. not allowed to dangle 2. positioned in area making a triangle between chin and lower rib 3. clearly identifiable

6 steps to administering oxygen

1. open kit/ or someone do it for you 2. slowly open valve 3. do a self test 4. ask for permission 5. instruct to breath normally 6. watch oxygen pressure valve

First aid steps for decompression illness

1. provide emergency oxygen 2. maintain lifeline 3. arrange for emergency evacuation 4. lay patient down

4 Non-swimming assists include

1. reach and extension assists 2. watercraft assists 3. wading assists 4. throwing assist

Signs of venomous wound

1. severe pain 2. inflammation 3. nausea 4. paralysis and cardiac arrest

Pocket Mask Advantages

1. simplifies making an effective seal 2. reduces disease transmission risk 3. can be used for in-water rescue breathing 4. can help provide oxygenated rescue breaths

5 Personal Readiness Steps

1. staying physically fit 2. participating in regular training practices 3. maintaining a proper attitude 4. prevention 5. equipment management

When responding to a responsive diver at the surface from a distance

1. take mask, fins, snorkel 2. keep eyes fixed on victim 3. be prepared to make quick reverse 4. have spotters

Two types of responsive diver assists at the surface

1. tired diver rescues 2. panicked diver rescues

6 Causes of common equipment problems

1. use of unfamiliar equipment 2. makeshift equipment 3. failing to maintain equipment 4. modifying equipement 5. lacks essential equipment 6. using equipment that doesn't fit

Considerations for conducting a search

1. visibility 2. qualified assistance 3. if they could be unconscious 4. logical pattern

Three things to consider before attempting an in-water rescue is

1. whether you need to get in the water at all 2. if you will be in danger (environmental conditions) 3. if you have the proper training and equipment to assist

Emergency Action Plan (components)

info you would need in the event of an emergency in a particular location or dive site 1. steps to follow 2. emergency phone numbers and script 3. information on accident reports 4. transporting procedures

Escaping a panicked diver effectivly

it is best to descend because they would not want to go underwater

Advantage of emergency floatation

it provides immediate buoyancy and may eliminate the need for direct contact

Primary benefit of AED is

it shortens the interval between loss of a heartbeat and attempts to restart it

When removing equipment from an unresponsive diver

keep moving, continue rhythm of rescue breaths, show distress signal, take things off logically, and always consider buoyancy

Basic Life Support

monitoring and enacting emergency procedures for respiratory and/or cardiovascular system failure

Preferred method for in water rescue breathes

mouth-to-pocket mask

Jellyfish sting aid

neutralize with vinegar or diluted ammonia

When writing accident reports

never guess or speculate, only state facts which I have witnessed personally

When rescuing an unresponsive diver in the water, is it important to check for a heartbeat

no, don't waste time trying to hear it in the water

Most common problem with integrated weight release or inflator connection

not knowing how to work a buddy's weight release Inflator is disconnect

Causes of psychological stress include

peer pressure and task overloading

Self types of rescue preperation

physical, mental, equipment

The most common cause of diver emergencies is

poor judgment

Circular search

poor visibility, requires a line and single buddy team

In a panicked diver ascent...

prevent speed and holding of breath

Signs that a diver may have a problem underwater

rapid breathing, swimming with arms, jerky movements

Characteristics of a panicked diver

rejecting equipment, and failing to establish buoyancy

A regulators pressure is ____________ the ambient pressure

remains constant above

Primary first aid for near drowning

rescue breathing

Decompression Sickness

results from inert gas coming out of solution in body

Lung Over expansion

results from lung over expansion, releasing air into bloodstream

Most common cause of lung over expansion injuries....

running out of air

______ or _______ can jam a low pressure inflator and can cause a run away ascent

salt or debris

Signs of Shock

shallow breathing, moist and clammy skin, nausea, restlessness

Signs of Hypothermia

shivering, numbness, blueness, weakness, confusion, loss conciousness

Helping with uncontrolled descent

signal to add air to BCD

Patient

someone receiving care in a relatively safe, stable environment

Victim

someone who is receiving help who has not yet be placed in a stable environment

Helping with over exertion

stop, encourage diver to relax

AED

a device that delivers a shock in an attempt to restart the heart

Critical Incident Stress and symptoms

acute stress following an incident (confusion, anger, guilt, anxiety, unusual behavior)

Pneumothorax

air in chest cavity that collapses a lung

Mediastinal emphysema

air in the center of chest

Air emboilism

air in the tissue blocking circulation

Subcutaneous emphysema

air under the skin at the base of the neck

The effects of stress on a diver can include

anxiety, perceptual narrowing, increased breathing, panic

Characteristics of a tired diver include

asking for help, and responding to questions or directions

When recognizing stress, act by...

attempting to guide the diver through solutions or cancel the dive all together

Why start rescue breaths in the water

because waiting until exiting would likely cause the victim in respiratory arrest to go into cardiac arrest

Heat exhaustion

causes profuse sweating

Causes of physical stress include

cold and heat, fatigue

Local emergency assistance plan should include

contact info for local emergency medical services, diver emergency service in the area, and any info needed to get an injured diver help

If victim doesn't have pulse

continue rescue breath protocol

If you discover a diver is missing...

determine where he was last seen, check to see if he might have left momentarily, assign spotters to look for bubbles

When using surface contact to rescue a panicked diver

establish ample buoyancy, use underarm lift, chose to swim around the victim into knee craddle

U-pattern search

for a large area with minimal equipment, requires several search teams

Signs and behaviors of diver with a problem at the surface include

giving distress signals, high treading or finning, clinging and clambering, apparent unresponsiveness

A well stocked first aid kit is intended to

help manage small problems, and to stabilize major problems until reaching emergency medical care

Dive accidents that might require BSL

1. drowning 2. decompression sickness 3. heat stroke 4. heart attack

Three procedures that help anticipate and prevent problems

1. equipment maintenance 2. anticipating problems when planning a dive 3. dive plans to avoid anticipated problems

Things that may affect water exit with a tired diver

1. exit terrain 2. need for medical assistance 3. how tired me and the victim are 4. surface conditions

Skills that can help you in a self rescue

1. good buoyancy control 2. handling air depletion 3. cramp removal 4. responding to vertigo

Classifications of alternate air sources

1. independent 2. need buddy assistance

Ideal Tow criteria

1. keeps divers face out of water 2. reduces drag 3. gives me control

exiting techniques

1. lifeguard exit 2. fireman's carry 3. packstrap carry 4. roll up 5. ladder exit

As a PADI rescue diver, my role in a accident is

1. may be to manage the emergency 2. may be to assist a more qualified person in an emergency

When assisting more than one responsive diver at the surface

1. my safety comes first 2. emergency floatation may be essential 3. rescue by reach, tow, wade, throw, or watercraft if at all possible

Equipment-related causes of breathing difficulty may include

1. cylinder valves partially open 2. exposure suit is too tight 3. loose or damaged mouthpiece

Treating shock

1. ABCD's 2. maintain body temp 3. have diver lay down 4. elevate legs 5. determine if condition is life threatening

Once safely onshore with responsive diver

1. access for illness or injury 2. contacting emergency medical care if needed 3. being sensitive to divers emotion

Six Steps for emergency management

1. access situation 2. act on plan 3. delegate 4. attend to injuries 5. control the scene 6. arrange evacuation to medical facility

Primary assessment steps

1. assessing the situation 2. establishing responsiveness 3. call for medical services if needed 4. establish clear airway 5. check breathing/ provide rescue breathes 6. check heartbeat on land 7. check for bleeding

Aquatic-life injuries

1. bites 2. cuts, abrasions, puncture 3. venemous stings

When using continuous flow valve set to _____ L/minute, if bag does not inflate increase to _____ L/minute

15 L/minute, 25 L/minute

In areas with ready access to emergency medical services an emergency oxygen supply of_____________ minutes is normal

40-50

Brain damage can occur within _____ minutes

6

First step in aiding aquatic life injuries

ABCD's and primary assesment

First thing to do when an emergency arises

Stop. Breath. Think and access

Why does time effect BSL

the longer the brain goes without oxygen, the more likley it becomes that brain damage will occcur

Heat stroke

the patient does not perspire and is considered life threatening

Diver stress is

the physical and psychological responses to a perceived threat

Perceptual Narrowing

the tendency under stress to be less broadly aware and more focused on a perceived threat and or solutions to that threat

Rescuing a panicked diver is the most hazardous situation for the rescuer because

the victim may climb on and overpower the rescuer

Why is it important to have emergency oxygen available?

to prompt oxygen first aid can make a difference in the case of decompression sickness, lung over expansion injury or near drowning

touch fastener or quick disconnect fastener

touch: used to take up slack and on BCD cummerbunds problem: get clogged and wear-out quick problem: strain causes it to pull free

If it is not a venomous....

treat like any other similar wound

To recognize stress...

use direct observation and ask the diver personally

Expanding square

use in moderate visibility, when diver may not be too far, with a single buddy team

Helping with excessive buoyancy

use quick dump on BCD

Quick release buckel

works by biting into webbing problem: comes loose unexpectedly

Non resuscitator demand valve

works like a scuba regulator, supplying 100% oxygen when the diver inhales

If you encounter a problem while diving...

you should stop, breath, think, and act based on a logical plan