Accident Assessment: A 24-year-old female diver was hunting lobster with group of divers from a day boat. The maximum depth of her dive was 75 feet (22.9 meters). While she was hunting she and her buddy became separated. During the latter part of her dive, she noticed increased inhalation resistance until finally the air flow stopped and her submersible pressure gauge indicated 0. She rapidly ascended to the surface. Upon reaching the surface, she was observed hastily depressing her inflator button to no effect. She was struggling to keep her head above water and did not establish positive buoyancy. The crew and other divers were able to assist her back to the boat. She stated that she inhaled some seawater. The crew noted she was coughing and appeared to have difficulty breathing. She was taken to the closest hospital and was diagnosed with pneumonia secondary to seawater aspiration. She was admitted for treatment and was discharged five days later with all symptoms resolved. What factors may have contributed to this situation? What could the diver have done differently on the surface?
Posted on: Fri, 20 Jun 2014 15:00:10 +0000
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