I just posted this over on TDS but thought you guys might be interested too.
I was at Ginnie Springs today and was witness to a near drowning. About 4pm, I was standing on the deck at the Ginnie head spring, when there was a mass of bubbles erupting from near the cavern entrance. Someone in the area started yelling that they had an unconscious diver, and another person on the deck ran in to help pull the unconcisou diver out. It was a 24 year old female and she was not breathing at this time. Once on the deck, the man who pulled her out of the water turned her on her side and water came out of her mouth and nose. He then started CPR. He gace her 2 quick breaths and she started breathing. He turned her on her side again, and she let out some more water. At the same time, a nearby Ginnie employee radioed for help, and within 60 secs, someone from the shop was down with her with an 02 kit. Someone also called 911. A few minutes later she was making sounds and seemed to be breathing fine. The local volunteer figher fighter showed up within another few minutes, and an ambulance a few minutes later. A helicoper was also on the way. The diver was pretty upset but seemed to be OK. From what I overheard she had been down near the grate and started to choke. She switched regs but still couldnt breathe. She then bolted for the cavern exit. Her buddy or another diver tried to slow her ascent and give a reg, but she didnt take it, and also lost her weightbelt. She went straight to the ceiling and floated along it. One of the divers in the water pushed her towards the exit, and by this time she was unconcious but near the exit. She was quickly brought to the surface.
ID like to say that the diver involved in the rescue and the man who gave CPR did a textbook job of rescuing and first aid. The Ginnie staff was also amazingly quick to respond. They all deserve major kudos. I think this shows exactly why Ginnie is the best dive park around, and I think we all hope that the woman will be OK.
I was at Ginnie Springs today and was witness to a near drowning. About 4pm, I was standing on the deck at the Ginnie head spring, when there was a mass of bubbles erupting from near the cavern entrance. Someone in the area started yelling that they had an unconscious diver, and another person on the deck ran in to help pull the unconcisou diver out. It was a 24 year old female and she was not breathing at this time. Once on the deck, the man who pulled her out of the water turned her on her side and water came out of her mouth and nose. He then started CPR. He gace her 2 quick breaths and she started breathing. He turned her on her side again, and she let out some more water. At the same time, a nearby Ginnie employee radioed for help, and within 60 secs, someone from the shop was down with her with an 02 kit. Someone also called 911. A few minutes later she was making sounds and seemed to be breathing fine. The local volunteer figher fighter showed up within another few minutes, and an ambulance a few minutes later. A helicoper was also on the way. The diver was pretty upset but seemed to be OK. From what I overheard she had been down near the grate and started to choke. She switched regs but still couldnt breathe. She then bolted for the cavern exit. Her buddy or another diver tried to slow her ascent and give a reg, but she didnt take it, and also lost her weightbelt. She went straight to the ceiling and floated along it. One of the divers in the water pushed her towards the exit, and by this time she was unconcious but near the exit. She was quickly brought to the surface.
ID like to say that the diver involved in the rescue and the man who gave CPR did a textbook job of rescuing and first aid. The Ginnie staff was also amazingly quick to respond. They all deserve major kudos. I think this shows exactly why Ginnie is the best dive park around, and I think we all hope that the woman will be OK.