Although they are often fatal, scuba diving accidents can be avoided. Learn from them and take preventive measures to reduce them. If you do get hurt, you can be compensated. Continue reading to learn how to prevent and recover from dive accidents. After many years of diving, you've probably heard about people who needed help following an accident.
Lessons learned from scuba diving accidents
In a recent DAN report, environmental factors were a significant factor in scuba diving accidents. These factors included changes in visibility that could trap divers. Divers without the right experience or fitness can also be exposed to dangers from shifting currents.
One of the first lessons that a diver should learn is to never hold their breath while underwater. Breathing can help calm nerves, improve concentration, and connect the diver to his/her body. You can avoid many common diving injuries by practicing your breathing skills regularly. You should also learn to share air and to recover your primary regulator. This will improve your chances of survival during a dive.
Unskilled and incorrect equipment use are the two main causes of diving injuries. These problems are often caused by poor use of the air and valves. This is a sign that a diver should consider resuming diving or abandoning the dive.
Preventive measures
Although scuba diving is relatively safe, it is important to follow the instructions and practice proper preparation. It is possible to avoid small problems becoming big problems that can lead to an accident. A good training program and equipment will help you avoid serious injuries or life-threatening emergencies.
Divers must make sure that the valve on their tanks is open before they dive. Divers should check the valve on their air tanks before diving. A partially closed valve can stop air flow to regulators, which could cause an accident. You should slowly open the valve to stop it from closing. This will prevent the valve from overpressurizing, which can lead to fatalities. It can also help prevent respiratory complications like anoxia or gas narcosis.
It is important to take into account the environment you will be diving in. The water may pull the equipment or fins of a diver if it is murky. Strong underwater currents may also be able to separate a diver and the boat cover. They could end up stranded in water. They may not be noticed by the boat crew if the visibility is poor. Divers should also carry yellow flags to draw attention to their presence. To signal their presence to others on shore, divers can use an EPIRB (personal submersible emergency oxygen radio) or a vhf radio.
Compensation for accident victims
If you are hurt in a dive accident, you might be eligible to receive compensation. The type of accident that occurred and the extent of your injuries will determine the amount of compensation you are entitled to. Compensation for lost wages may be available if the accident occurred while you were working on a commercial dive vessel. You should contact an experienced attorney to learn more about the compensation you can receive.
The captain of the dive boat may be responsible if you are injured. If the captain was drunken or negligent, you might be able to sue them. If the boat is defective, you might also be entitled for compensation if your dive accident results in you being hurt.