When I took my latest Rescue class (2011) it was taught as knee-jerk responses. Start rescue breathing, strip the gear as you both tow and continue the breathing... I tried to inject some scenario into the training, such as not stripping the BC off if the diver isn't in an exposure suit (flotation), but was told to do it the same way regardless for the class.
I agree with the prior posters. A few rescue breaths to see if you can get a response, then get them as rapidly as possible to a place where more definitive care is possible. This may/may not mean stripping gear on the way. I also agree that trying to do rescue breaths, strip gear, and tow all at the same time is the least efficient method, but this might make a good experiment.
To make the students think more and consider differing conditions I would like to see different scenarios presented that require different responses. I.E. cold water, 200 yd swim, surf zone vs. warm water (no neoprene suit), 50 yd swim to boat. There may also be situations that require a second rescuer to help transition a surf zone without endangering the rescuer (Monastery beach on anything but a real calm day). Each rescue situation is different, yet right now we train a cookie cutter response.
---------- Post Merged at 12:42 PM ---------- Previous Post was at 12:37 PM ----------
Doesn't work, the regulator exhaust valve opens before sufficient air goes into the lungs (probably none). If you succeed in blocking the exhaust valve, then you are likely to over-inflate the victims lungs and cause an air embolism. Try inflating your lungs sometime with an UNBLOCKED exhaust valve. I would never try it with a blocked exhaust valve.
I agree with the prior posters. A few rescue breaths to see if you can get a response, then get them as rapidly as possible to a place where more definitive care is possible. This may/may not mean stripping gear on the way. I also agree that trying to do rescue breaths, strip gear, and tow all at the same time is the least efficient method, but this might make a good experiment.
To make the students think more and consider differing conditions I would like to see different scenarios presented that require different responses. I.E. cold water, 200 yd swim, surf zone vs. warm water (no neoprene suit), 50 yd swim to boat. There may also be situations that require a second rescuer to help transition a surf zone without endangering the rescuer (Monastery beach on anything but a real calm day). Each rescue situation is different, yet right now we train a cookie cutter response.
---------- Post Merged at 12:42 PM ---------- Previous Post was at 12:37 PM ----------
My question about rescue breaths is this: can we use a regulators for rescue breaths? If you keep the mask on, airway open, reg in (after clearing ?) and purge the reg every few seconds. My favorite tow method is by the tank (like a tired diver) as I believe it to be one of the quickest. That would give easy access to the purge button, jaw to open the airway, and ability to keep their mask on. Especially when diving Nitrox. I mean, I know the exhaust valve mitigates a lot of the benefit...but it's still quite a bit of air pressure in their airways.
Doesn't work, the regulator exhaust valve opens before sufficient air goes into the lungs (probably none). If you succeed in blocking the exhaust valve, then you are likely to over-inflate the victims lungs and cause an air embolism. Try inflating your lungs sometime with an UNBLOCKED exhaust valve. I would never try it with a blocked exhaust valve.