Earlier this week, the crew of a Marlborough dive boat saved the life of an English tourist. While descending to New Zealand's Mikhail Lermontov wreck, the 49-year-old woman panicked, spit out her reg, and forced the group to abort the dive. Displaying no vital signs when pulled from the water, the crew immediately started CPR and administered oxygen to the woman, who quickly regained consciousness. Whew...close call.
It's a good thing the dive crew resuscitated the woman so handily, because rescue officials bungled dispatching a rescue helicopter, and it took nearly 45 minutes for the chopper to arrive. According to Dive Marlborough owner Brent McFadden, "It goes to show that CPR and having the right equipment work." Having trained staff on board helps, too, of course.
[Thanks, Disconnect!]
1. This is what I teach in First Aid/CRP/AED class, how to respond to these types of emergencies. I think all dive boats should have rescue certified divers aboard.
Posted at 12:28PM on Jan 7th 2007 by Diver Al - Scubaology