Two divers die at Wazee Lake, WI

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I just finished my ACLS recertification, and they presented data from a number of studies which pretty clearly show that ventilation takes a significant back seat to effective CPR, in terms of rates of success in resuscitation. .

Gems like that are why I love reading your contributions here.
 
I plan my dives and try to execute them so that I never go into a deco obligation, but just a thought, if you did need to get someone to the surface, i.e. to the dive boat, could you put just a bit of air in their bcd, or better yet on an attached SMB and send them to the surface with a reel? It would be tricky for sure to manage their ascent rate while maintaining your own.

In this case it would not have helped as Wazee is a shore dive I believe, but just thinking about the possibilities for helping someone else without endangering yourself.

-Matt
 
I plan my dives and try to execute them so that I never go into a deco obligation, but just a thought, if you did need to get someone to the surface, i.e. to the dive boat, could you put just a bit of air in their bcd, or better yet on an attached SMB and send them to the surface with a reel? It would be tricky for sure to manage their ascent rate while maintaining your own.

In this case it would not have helped as Wazee is a shore dive I believe, but just thinking about the possibilities for helping someone else without endangering yourself.

-Matt

Sending an unconscious diver to the surface unattended will just serve to finish them off. Its a really bad idea. They will drown without a doubt.
 
I should have clarified... an unresponsive and non-breathing diver... I have taken the rescue diver course and I am unaware of anything I can be doing for an unresponsive and non-breathing diver during a return to surface.

Now... if the diver is just unconscious, then it is an escort them to the surface, manage bouyancy, keep their reg in their mouth kind of situation, imo.

Would you agree?

I say this because the chain of the topic here suggests things like in water CPR and as such suggests that we have an unresponsive and non-breathing patient.

Thanks for your comments though. I did need to clarify.
 
Re: unresponsive and non-breathing diver

I don't think any Rescue course teaches the best plan for a dead diver recovery, and that diver is dead in the water with little hope for a reversal. They generally teach to do the best you can without becoming a second victim, but many of us would cut corners to try heroics. It's a judgment call and I hope I never have to face it.
 
I should have clarified... an unresponsive and non-breathing diver... I have taken the rescue diver course and I am unaware of anything I can be doing for an unresponsive and non-breathing diver during a return to surface.

Now... if the diver is just unconscious, then it is an escort them to the surface, manage bouyancy, keep their reg in their mouth kind of situation, imo.

Would you agree?

I say this because the chain of the topic here suggests things like in water CPR and as such suggests that we have an unresponsive and non-breathing patient.

Thanks for your comments though. I did need to clarify.

Imo, no one is dead until I'm sure they're dead, and no one can be sure until they're on the surface and pronounced by a physician or paramedics (state and county rules/laws apply).

Crazy things have happened with near drowning victims. The only hope for survival is getting them to the surface (in a controlled manner) and starting CPR/ getting them to definitive care.
 
Imo, no one is dead until I'm sure they're dead, and no one can be sure until they're on the surface and pronounced by a physician or paramedics (state and county rules/laws apply).

Crazy things have happened with near drowning victims. The only hope for survival is getting them to the surface (in a controlled manner) and starting CPR/ getting them to definitive care.
Worth the try, sure. HOW best to get the diver up depends on the situation, how much deco are you willing to omit, etc.
 
Imo, no one is dead until I'm sure they're dead, and no one can be sure until they're on the surface and pronounced by a physician or paramedics (state and county rules/laws apply).

Crazy things have happened with near drowning victims. The only hope for survival is getting them to the surface (in a controlled manner) and starting CPR/ getting them to definitive care.

True, but you, yourself, must be in a position to help. Putting yourself in a situation where you cannot help the victim doesn't serve anyone and creates a bigger problem. Others have said it better than I... It's a judgment call at the time.
 
Weird that I stopped to read this thread...

My dive buddy and I dive shallow, less than 60 feet mostly in rivers. We had a SI the other day eating a bite and got to talking about trips he has made on some climbing excursions. He began to tell me about the plan he creates with his team members. His plan is that "If you fall ill or create an imminant stress or possible zipper on the crew you are on your own" no one will waste their energy, food or safety to save you. You must provide the willingness or become very focused on the task. That was his plan.. I thought to myself.... I guess if you're on a climb, and someone became paniced, well heck you place eveyone in danger immediately. We all know this going in and no one will save you. If you dont like the plan then you dont go....

I see this being the same in the accident which occured. If you're at 200 and Ive never been there, its gonna take several minutes to reach the surface, you're breathing and equalizing on ascent, the other guy isnt going to be, thats bad. If you cant help the equalizing of the lungs he is going to be gone way before you reach the surface. So what do you do.......

This would be in my dive plan, and not to have someone else risk death by blowing off stops. If you're jacked up at 200 its over bud. Its reality and you must live with it if you're the dive buddy, just keep the reg in, and do your stops. if you run him up he will blow. 30 feet.... come on out... 200 feet... its game over.

You must have this plan. Its going to be on your concience but there is nothing you can do to a cardiac problem at 200/150/130/100..... too much time and no way to waive stops...

If you're my dive buddy for 50 years you will know this before we dive. My friends think I'm anal about diving and my safety stuff..... I guess there is a reason to be!

Steve
 
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I am suspicious of the suspected Cardiac arrest of victim #1. I personally would like to see or here from forensic information concerning that finding. The statistical odds are very great against someone having such an event yet I have heard it used as a suspected cause in so many accidents, I just have a problem with that.

This dive reeks of many, not just one, problem that went on and suggests that there may be some other explanation. I am just not a huge believer of coincidence, liek two people buy a mlottery tickedt together and hit the millions at the same time.

Can anybody find a coroners report on victim#1.

With all respect to the deceased.
 
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