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.”

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