There is general consensus amongst medical professionals that there is no substitute of quality medical care in a seriously injured diver, especially in the pre-hospital environment. However, this care is generally delivered in a hospital setting by medical expertise and includes invasive procedures such as RC (UK) Advanced Life Support and Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment at a Category-1 Recompression Chamber. Prior to this treatment, individual divers are cared for inititally by their dive buddy or group, before receiving treatment by the local Ambulance Service.
Patient care starts at the time of injury and the lay-individual who responds to a diver emergency should have the appropriate training in medical procedures that will benefit the potentially critically injured diver. Only in the absence of appropriately qualified medical personnel, should an individual be trained in more advanced procedures for emergency treatment, such as the case in expedition or remote diving operations where the standards of the NHS Emergency Systems cannot be accessed. The sooner an injured diver receives HBOT, the better the outcome for the diver; prompt treatment could therefore limit disability in divers associated with DCI and result in prompt resolution of symptoms, if the '4-Hour' Evacuation Principle can be achieved.
The following pages are designed to provide an insight into the legal requirements and standards of providing emergency care in the United Kingdom and to ensure compliance with current legislation such as the Diving at Work Regulations 1997.
Patient care starts at the time of injury and the lay-individual who responds to a diver emergency should have the appropriate training in medical procedures that will benefit the potentially critically injured diver. Only in the absence of appropriately qualified medical personnel, should an individual be trained in more advanced procedures for emergency treatment, such as the case in expedition or remote diving operations where the standards of the NHS Emergency Systems cannot be accessed. The sooner an injured diver receives HBOT, the better the outcome for the diver; prompt treatment could therefore limit disability in divers associated with DCI and result in prompt resolution of symptoms, if the '4-Hour' Evacuation Principle can be achieved.
The following pages are designed to provide an insight into the legal requirements and standards of providing emergency care in the United Kingdom and to ensure compliance with current legislation such as the Diving at Work Regulations 1997.