SAFETY REMINDER AFTER DIVERS TAKEN TO HOSPITAL OFF SOUTH WEST COAST
Two divers have been taken to hospital this afternoon after
both made rapid ascents from dives off the south west coast.
In the first incident, Brixham Coastguard was contacted just
after 11.30am this morning by a dive boat at Hands Deep off Plymouth. It was
reported that one of their divers had done a rapid ascent from 27 metres. The
Plymouth RNLI all-weather lifeboat was sent to the scene and evacuated the casualty
along with his dive buddy. They were then transferred to Derriford Hospital.
The Plymouth Coastguard Rescue Team was also sent to assist.
In the second incident, Brixham Coastguard was contacted
just before midday by a dive boat 3 nautical miles off Chapel Point, Cornwall.
A diver had also done a rapid ascent. The search and rescue helicopter from
RNAS Culdrose was sent to the scene and airlifted the diver to the Diving
Diseases Research Centre in Plymouth for treatment. The Mevagissey and Plymouth
Coastguard Rescue Teams were also in attendance.
Andre Huber, Watch Manager at Brixham Coastguard said:
“We’d like to remind all divers of the importance of regular
stops as they come to the surface. Any dives requiring decompression stops
should be planned beforehand and carried out. Any diver who has missed planned
stops could suffer from decompression sickness.
“Divers are also advised to make sure they are adequately
qualified and experienced for the diving they plan to undertake.”