Emergency action plans

[Lottie375]

I'm in the middle of doing my PADI rescue course..just got a few things left to do, which is being done on thursday. Before then i need to redo my emergency action plan.

The instructor said that the plan should be more for when the patient is back on the shore (this is a shore dive and not a boat dive) and the steps that you would need to do from then onwards....

Can anyone give me any helpful hints about what should go into the plan (the book only states a higher level of info) and how much detail should be put on the plan...?

Thanks in advance

Lottie

 

[ReefHound]

That's something you should ask your instructor because I've seen a wide range of EAP "definitions" and instructors vary in what they want to see.

In my experience, an EAP is not supposed to be a detailed step-by-step instructions for how to respond to an accident, but rather simply provide the general and site-specific information that the person managing the accident scene needs to make decisions. That would include DAN, EMS, and other phone numbers, medical facility locations, available resources at the site (AED, O2, first aid, shelter, potable water, 911 service, phone, etc), local hazards and conditions.

 

[Steve_Dives]

I've included driving directions from the dive location to medical facilities. If my buddy goes to the hospital, I may have to drive there.

I have a sheet (actually in my dive log) with medical information. "No known medical allergies." Primary docs contact info. A copy of my medical insurance cards and my DAN card.

 

[firemedic1015]

E-mail sent with a copy of one I did recently for a local quarry.

 

[bmcsteve]

When I did my Rescue class last July, my EAP was "too much" according to my instructor.... though he never really looked at it. He had each of read our EAP's in class.

When I wrote mine, I started from a broad view and included a lot of detailed info about local EMS response times to the lake, level of care from EMS (ALS vs. BLS), where the pay phones were located, a detailed breifing for the dives we were going to do, etc. I also had pull out sheets with step by step assessment and 1st aid procedures in case someone with less training than me was doing it. I even had a script for the person going to to phone to call 911.

I must admit it was a lot.... but they told us that it should have enough info that an untrained bystander could pick it up and run with it. I never really got a clear idea of what my instructor was looking for. So if anyone has good examples that they want to share, I for one would appreciate it.

 

[Lottie375]

Thanks soo much for your information guys. That has really helped me out and given me a good nudge in the right direction.

Lottie )

 

[jeckyll]

In true emergencies people often forget the most basic details, like the exact name of where they are or how to get there. Thinking this through up front should help if you ever really need it.

Think about the how to contact EMS, how to get the diver to a safe location and how to get them from the water to where EMS can transport them. Include available resources, closest phone (especially if you may be in an area where cell reception may be spotty or unavailable), note the closest "phone" could be marine radio of course.

You should review them in class in details and have the instructor advise you of items you've missed. You don't have to get the first one perfect

 

[Doc Intrepid]

As Jeckyll said, sometimes little things are the ones that we overlook.

If one of your dive buddies took a hit and was headed to the chamber, how would you call their parents or husband or wife - someone at a phone number different than their cell or office phone? Do you have next-of-kin phone numbers for each diver in your group?

If you're not diving at a well-known shore dive site, trying to describe "where you are" to rescue personnel responding to your location can become an exercise in creative expression. In your plan make an effort to identify mile markers, topographical features, or other terrain identification characteristics to convey your dive site location to responders.

It helps if you make a note of any medications your dive buddies might be taking (even Bonine, Sudafed, or Afrin), or other conditions they may routinely deal with that an EMT may need to know about.

Like the others have said, getting a stricken diver to the surface and then back to the shore is phase 1. But getting emergency medical response personnel to the stricken diver, and then med-evacking the striken diver in an ambulance or aircraft to a hospital is phase 2. All the various communications efforts and logistics involved in phase 2 are what your instructor wants you to have pre-considered and pre-planned to execute under pressure.

Regards,

Doc

 

[Joe-Diver]

There are 2 plans. The Emergency Assistance Plan and the Emergency Action Plan.

The Emergency Assistance Plan has basic contact information for the local area and locations of emergency supplies.

The Emergency Action Plan has all of this, plus what to do and what to say during the emergency.

Emergency Assistance Plan - pp43-44 PADI Rescue Diver Manual

Emergency Action Plan - pp115-118 PADI Rescue Diver Manual

For Rescue and Divemaster, you complete an Emergency Assistance Plan.
PADI Instructor Manual, p 2.2, 1d, Rescue Diver
PADI Instructor Manual, p 3-3 Divemaster

 

[Lottie375]

I must admit it was a lot.... but they told us that it should have enough info that an untrained bystander could pick it up and run with it. I never really got a clear idea of what my instructor was looking for. So if anyone has good examples that they want to share, I for one would appreciate it.

That is exactly what my instructor said to me, but i'm also thinking how much information is too much...if a incident occurs, you don't really want to read through reams and reams of information as it's wasting time and effect, when you could be doing something...but it's a double-edged sword....

Thanks again for the information you guys have provided, it's helped me out alot.

Lottie )