Coast Guard Rescues Diver off SC Coast

[SC_Hoaty]

From the website of WCBD (Charleston, SC):

The Coast Guard medically evacuated a scuba diver at around 2:30 p.m. Saturday, nine miles off the coast of Georgetown, S.C.

A Coast Guard MH-65 helicopter crew from Air Facility Charleston was already in-flight when a crew member of the 60-foot marine vessel Scuba Express made a report that a 65 year-old man was suffering from a possible heart attack.

Harry Winkler was scuba diving 120-feet below the ocean’s surface when he began to experience the possible on-set of the heart attack.

Upon arrival, Petty Officer 1st Class Joey Gryzenia, a Coast Guard rescue swimmer and certified emergency medical technician, jumped from the helicopter about 30-meters from Scuba Express and swam to the vessel. He immediately began to assess and prepare Winkler to be hoisted into the helicopter.

Once on board, Winkler was stabilized and placed on oxygen. To avoid possible decompression sickness, the MH-65 crew transported him to Georgetown Memorial Hospital at an altitude of 300 feet. Winkler is in stable condition.

 

[DandyDon]

:medal: for P.O.Gryzenia! Those guys are amazing. Nice to hear the diver making to the hospital.

 

[SC_Hoaty]

CHARLESTON

Rescued diver, 65, in stable condition



A man who suffered heart attack symptoms while diving nine miles off the South Carolina coast remained in stable condition Sunday.

Coast Guard crews rescued the scuba diver, 65-year-old Harry Winkler, who was at a depth of 120 feet when he began feeling symptoms Saturday afternoon.

A rescue swimmer was dropped over the dive area from a helicopter and swam to the boat Scuba Express. He put Winkler in a rescue basket to be lifted to the helicopter.

The crew put him on oxygen and flew him to a hospital in nearby Georgetown. A spokeswoman for Georgetown Memorial Hospital said Sunday that Winkler was in stable condition

 

[Tricia]

After so many sad stories in this forum where it sounds like the person had a heart attack, seizure, etc. and didn't make it, this is NICE news to hear!! :banana: :luxhello:

(And somewhat reassuring for us older folks, I confess.. )

I would really like to have more details, though. He started feeling symptoms at 120 feet? I would like to know how that all played out. Sounds like he had a good buddy who got him to the surface - kudos to him, too!

Trish

 

[SC_Hoaty]

I looked for more information in the news outlets this morning, and came up with nothing. The dive shop is in Murrells Inlet, SC and is a good operation. Perhaps someone with the shop or who was on the boat that day can provide some details.

The shop calendar had them diving the Hebe that day.

 

[firebirdkarla17]

The diver was at a maximum of 102' and made a free ascent to the surface making a safety stop in a slight current. After a long surface swim he began to feel symptoms of a heart attack. The crew immediately placed him on O2, monitored his condition and contacted Coast Guard. A helo met them on the way in and airlifted him from the boat flying him to Georgetown Memorial hospital. The dive crew, an on board doctor (customer) and the Coast Guard all performed admirably and all contributed to a great outcome. The diver was released in good condition earlier this week.

 

[warmwaterturner]

Sounds like a good job to all involved, Coast Guard and the crew of the Scuba Express. :thumbs-up

 

[Saltwater Junky]

Great job was done by all! The U.S. Coast Guard crews are unsung heros. These guys will risk life and limb to perform a rescue. :thumbs_up: Glad to here the diver survived.