Week 2, Day 10

As usual we headed of to the Pier and set up the equipment. Today's weather was particulary bad with lots if rain.

After our checks were done the rest of the diver completed the pneumatic tools dive that I did yesterday and after this we were instructed on how to do a Rescue Dive. Basically one of us was the victim, one the rescuer and the third diver held a camera so the surface supervisor could see. When you do a rescue dive using the surface supply equipment and diver helmets you need to do the following (always ensuring that the surface know what you are doing step by step:

1. Communicate to the surface that Diver 1 (or whoever is having problems) appears to having problems.
2. Assess the situation for danger to ensure the rescue diver is not at risk.
3. Check the diver to see if he is breathing and conscious.
4. Close his bail-out valve and open his free-flow for 10 seconds
5. Pull up the diver if he is laying on the sea bed and inform the supervisor that you need help pulling the diver up to the surface.
6. With the surface pulling both he rescue diver and the victim in, stay with the victim until he is at surface.

It sound easy and straight forward but it is harder than you think underwater.

Finishing this I was my turn to become controller (ie in charge of the comms panel) and maintain communication with the divers instructing them on what to do. The hardest part is that everything has re-confirmed. Example is

Diver One, requesting main gas.
Roger that Diver One, main gas is on. Enter water and check for leaks.
Roger that, Diver One entering water... Diver One clear for leaks
Roger that Diver One, when ready head for bottom.
Roger that, Diver One heading for bottom... Diver One at bottom.
Roger that Diver One, please standby.

After a while this can get repetitive but in diving all instructions have to be crystal clear and repeated so that there is zero misunderstanding.