Table of Contents

Diving Accident Management Flowchart...Inside Front Cover Introduction...5 EMERGENCY SECTION The Underwater Diving Accident Victim ...6 Management at the Dive Site ...7 Management of the Unconscious Diver ...9 Cardio-pulmonary Resuscitation ...11 The Five Minute Neuro Exam ...13 UNDERWATER DIVING ACCIDENTS Decompression Illness. ...19 Lung Overexpansion Injuries ...21 Shock ...24 Oxygen Poisoning ...26 Nitrogen Narcosis...28 Near Drowning ...29 Hypothermia ...30 Heat Exhaustion ...33 Non Pulmonary Barotrauma ...34 Carbon Monoxide Poisoning ...35 Carbon Dioxide Poisoning ...36 Stings from Jelly Fish, Coral etc. ...37 OXYGEN ADMINISTRATION ...39 IMPORTANT EQUIPMENT FOR DIVE PLANNING ...42 ADVICE FROM BRITISH DIVING SAFETY GROUP ...43 APPENDICES Appendix I Safety Information ...46 Appendix II Accident Management Priorities...49 Appendix III First Aid Kit ...50 Appendix IV Air-lifting of Casualties ...51 NOTES ...53 ACCIDENT MANAGEMENT WORKSHEET...55 DDRC Accident management worksheet, medical advice and neurological exam sheets appear throughout this manual. These can be written on with a HB pencil if required.

About the Author

The Diving Diseases Research Centre or DDRC as it is affectionately known, is a registered UK Charity (Charity Commission Number 279652). DDRC specialises in hyperbaric oxygen therapy for the treatment of medical emergencies including decompression illness (DCI or the bends), carbon monoxide poisoning, and soft tissue infections such as necrotising fasciitis and gas gangrene. DDRC also specialises in the treatment of non-healing and problem wounds such as diabetic foot ulcers and the treatment of healing issues in cancer patients who have undergone radiotherapy. The Professional Services team offer one of the best training packages available with courses for commercial and recreational divers, hyperbaric chamber staff and diving and hyperbaric physicians, which are all taught by industry experts. Our Research team actively carries out research into how hyperbaric oxygen therapy works and the benefit to be gained from hyperbaric oxygen therapy especially in regards to diving and wound healing. Our research is conducted as collaborative efforts with national and international research partners which include universities, medical schools, hyperbaric centres and healthcare professionals.

Reviews

All this is presented in a clear, concise and easily readable format. Even better, it's printed on waterproof paper so that it can be taken on diving trips. It does just what the title says. From the 4th Edition John Liddiard, Diver Magazine.