CC1020
Contributor
What would be the recommended procedure for locating a lost diver... say, off of a dive boat, for instance?
Methods for Lost Diver search?
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Call the US Coast Guard on Channel 16 and follow their instructions. I'm not being factitious.
The Chairman
Chairman of the Board
Depends on the conditions really. Looking for bubbles is a great way to begin. A standard rescue course will cover various methods of doing this IN A CONTROLLED environment.
Of course, there is a lot of diving done outside of US coastal waters, so calling the USCG may or may not be efficacious.
Of course, there is a lot of diving done outside of US coastal waters, so calling the USCG may or may not be efficacious.
If it is 2 lost divers i.e. a buddy team it is likely that they're at the surface, if it is 1 then it is usually far more serious.
1. Mark GPS position & drop weighted bouy.
2. Notify Coastguard (or relevant National authority).
3. Begin circular boat search (around bouy) & every 360o increase circle.
4. If possible put divers in water at last known location (doing a circular search around bouy), or snorkeling at surface.
1. Mark GPS position & drop weighted bouy.
2. Notify Coastguard (or relevant National authority).
3. Begin circular boat search (around bouy) & every 360o increase circle.
4. If possible put divers in water at last known location (doing a circular search around bouy), or snorkeling at surface.
ItsBruce
Contributor
The answer is far more complex than ought to be answered here. There are many consideratins, including whether you are converting a lost diver scenario into a two lost divers scenario.
Channel 16 is a good start. (It's like the old question of when is it time to reef a sail? -- As soon as you start thinking about when its time.) Call the CG as soon as you start to wonder if you should.
Channel 16 is a good start. (It's like the old question of when is it time to reef a sail? -- As soon as you start thinking about when its time.) Call the CG as soon as you start to wonder if you should.
H2Andy
Contributor
yeah ...
basically, mark the spot ASAP, call the CG ASAP
if you believe the diver(s) are at the surface, then an expanding circle search is probably in order so long as it will not compromise identifying your exact location at the time of the dive later on
if there is a current, then a circle search doesn't make sense, more of an expanding hemicircular search in the direction of the current, again, so long as you don't compromise finding your location at the time of the dive
if you believe the diver(s) are still below, then sending divers to their last known location and searching from there is probably your only option
basically, mark the spot ASAP, call the CG ASAP
if you believe the diver(s) are at the surface, then an expanding circle search is probably in order so long as it will not compromise identifying your exact location at the time of the dive later on
if there is a current, then a circle search doesn't make sense, more of an expanding hemicircular search in the direction of the current, again, so long as you don't compromise finding your location at the time of the dive
if you believe the diver(s) are still below, then sending divers to their last known location and searching from there is probably your only option
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