Emergency Situations

Divers never want to be in an emergency situation but because of the fact that we are underwater and in unknown surrounding we are constantly surrounded by dangers. Even if we know where dangers are located there can always be another unknown danger underwater or something topside can happen which could put the diver at risk. All these things require us to be vigilant with our safety and emergency training.

It is nearly impossible to recreate an emergency situation. That is the emotions, surprise and adrenaline that would be present in a true emergency, but practicing for an emergency, no matter how different, does make us more prepared. For our exercises in the marina we would have one diver go down and entangle his umbilical before calling up with a mock situation. The diver could say he had injured himself, or he was getting a headache and the air tasted bad, he cracked his mask or even say nothing, like he was blacked out. At this point the rack operator would, depending on the situation, attempt further communications with the diver then jump the standby diver. Regulations in British Columbia Canada state that the standby diver needs to be able to be in the water within one minute. This was our challenge each emergency drill. It was difficult but each of us got three tries in each position; the rack operator, standby diver, standby tender and injured diver.

These types of drills are important to experience and practice, they keep us focused and aware. As with any profession with danger complacency is the factor that will take an emergency situation and turn it into a deadly situation.