Basic HTML Version
84
|
WINTER 2012
Caption to go here. Caption to go here. Caption to go here. Caption to go here. to
go here. Caption to go here. Caption to go here. Caption to go here. Caption to go
here. Caption to go here. Caption to go here. Caption to go here. Caption to go here.
Caption to go here. Caption to go here. Caption to go here. Caption to go here.
Caption to go here. Caption to go here. Caption to go here. Caption to go here.
Caption to go here. Caption to go here. Caption to go here.
as a cave, cavern, wreck or under ice.
Every training organization warns
divers about the dangers of entering
such environments without appropriate
training, experience, planning and
equipment. The way to mitigate the
hazard of this trigger is very simple:
Don’t enter overhead environments
without being qualified and prepared to
do so. When in doubt, stay out.
EQUIPMENT PROBLEMS
The third most common trigger
identified in the fatality analysis was
equipment problems. This trigger
caused 15 percent, or about 150, of the
fatalities studied. Notably, this does not
mean the equipment failed or its design
was flawed. Rather, the problems were
most often a result of user error. These
errors included improper use, failure
to ensure correct configuration, lack of
maintenance and insufficient familiarity
with the equipment. Dr. George
Harpur, an experienced investigator
of dive fatalities in Ontario, states,
“We are not able to document a single
case in which equipment malfunction
directly caused a diver’s death or
injury. It has been the diver’s response
to the problem that results in the
pathology.” It’s important to remember
that dive equipment is life-support
equipment. Learn about all its features
and functions, practice with it, and
maintain it; take care of your gear so it
can take care of you.
Knowing how divers get into serious
trouble only advances the discussion so
far. For diving to be safer, we must apply
the lessons that can be taken from these
tragic events. How can we, as divers,
reduce the likelihood that these triggers
will cause problems for us?
EDUCATION
Take full advantage of every
opportunity to learn. Read dive
magazines, spend time with
experienced divers, attend dive club
meetings, and check out dive safety
lectures or seminars online. More
knowledgeable divers are safer divers.
Get trained in the type of diving you
want to do, but don’t stop learning
when you leave the classroom — treat
every dive as an educational experience.
Use any unexpected incidents that
occur while diving as opportunities
to brainstorm and discuss response
options, contingencies and prevention
strategies with your buddies.
PRACTICE
Dive skills and emergency-management
skills require constant practice and
reinforcement. Refresh your skills often,
especially when you haven’t been diving
in a while. Take time to familiarize
yourself with new equipment in a
controlled environment before using it
in open water. Although practice may
not make you perfect, it will help you
make the correct decisions and manage
problems appropriately rather than
trying to escape to the surface.
EXPERIENCE
The value of experience cannot
be overstated. Divers with limited
experience, including those returning
to the sport after a long absence, are
at greatest risk. According to the
DAN fatality data, 88 percent of the
divers died on the first dive of their
dive series. Consider that the number
of dives in your logbook or the date
on your certification card do not
automatically qualify you for greater
challenges. To truly be prepared for
more advanced diving, slowly and
methodically increase the complexity
and task loading of your dives. Expand
your horizons gradually, making sure
you don’t outpace your training and
your level of comfort. Certification is
not the same thing as proficiency. Don’t
dive your C-card, dive your experience.
HEALTH
Approximately one-fourth of the
fatalities studied involved cardiac
problems. Amazingly, in 60 p rcent of
the cases with cardiac involvement the
divers had symptoms such as shortness
of breath, chest pain or fatigue but
proceeded to dive anyway. Most divers
are aware of the importance of good
general health and fitness for diving,
but comfort and well-being at the time
of the dive are also important. If you’re
not feeling up to a dive, don’t dive; wait
and see how you feel later.
The majority of these cardiac cases
were associated with a pre-existing
condition or age greater than 40. It’s
a good idea for everyone older than
35, whether or not they dive, to have
an annual physical. A physical is also
recommended following any change
in an individual’s health status. Divers
might benefit from having their
physical exam performed by a physician
trained in dive medicine. If you don’t
know a physician in your area who is
familiar with dive medicine, call the
DAN Medical Information Line (+1-
919-684-2948).
PREDIVE PREPARATION
As you prepare to dive, it’s a good idea
for you and your buddy to configure
and assemble your equipment together
so you can identify anything that
looks odd or out of place. This also
provides an opportunity to familiarize
yourselves with each other’s
equipment. If boat diving, it may be
helpful to set up your gear before the
boat leaves the dock. This is especially
true if you are subject to seasickness,
since it minimizes the amount of time
you’ll spend on the rocking boat deck.
Hastily assembling your equipment
in rolling seas while feeling nauseated
increases the likelihood of potentially
hazardous errors.
Before diving, review your dive
plan with your buddy to ensure you
have a shared understanding of the
dive’s goals. You’ll also want to agree
on the route you’ll take and possible
alternatives to your primary dive plan.
It’s much easier to communicate the
switch t plan B if you decided what
plan B was before you descended.
82-85_Fatalities_Winter2012.indd 84
12/21/11