Saturday 1 June 2013

Dive Boat Preditor

This morning Portland Coastguard took a channel 16 distress call from Dive Boat 'Preditor' (they chose to spell it that way) who was concerned that a diver was suffering from decompression sickness (DCS - also known as 'The Bends').

After some radio confusion aboard the dive boat, the Swanage Lifeboat and the Portland Coastguard Helicopter - Rescue 106 were dispatched to stabilise the casualty and then airlift him to the hyperbaric chamber for decompression.

Swanage Coastguard were tasked to oversee the return of the boat and give some words of advice regarding radio usage and general rescue management.

Given the nature of the incident and the casualty's diving history the diving kit was, as a precautionary measure, impounded by Swanage Coastguard Team. Late this afternoon the casualty was given the all clear and came back to Swanage to collect his kit. Words of advice were given about declaring medical conditions to dive boat skippers as this would greatly assist in any future rescue.


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