While scuba diving injuries are not uncommon, they can be prevented. You can learn lessons from them, take preventive measures to prevent them, and get compensated if you are involved in one. Find out how to prevent accidents from happening and how you can recover. You have likely heard of dive accident victims after diving for many years.
Lessons from scuba diver accidents
DAN recently reported that environmental factors were major contributors to scuba divers' accidents. These factors included rapid changes in visibility that could trap divers or deprive them of air, problems with regulators, and malfunctioning rebreather devices. Changes in currents and waves pose dangers to divers who aren't physically or mentally fit.
One of the first lessons that a diver should learn is to never hold their breath while underwater. Breathing helps calm nerves, focus, and connects the diver with his or her body. By practicing your breathing skills frequently, you can prevent many common diving injuries. In addition, it's essential to learn how to share air and recover your primary regulator. This will improve your chances of survival during a dive.
Poor skills and inadequacy of equipment are two of the leading causes of diving accidents. These problems typically involve improper use of the air and cylinder valves. If these problems occur, a diver should reconsider diving or abort the dive altogether.
Preventive actions
Scuba diving can be a very safe sport. However, it is important that you practice good preparation and follow all the instructions. It is possible to avoid small problems becoming big problems that can lead to an accident. Training and the proper equipment will make sure you do not suffer from a decompression injury, or a life-threatening emergency.
Before diving, divers should check the valve on their air tanks. A valve that is partially open can restrict air flow to the regulator, resulting in a diving accident. To prevent this, the diver should slowly open and close the valve until it stops. This will prevent an excessive pressure from leading to overpressure. In addition, it can help avoid respiratory complications such as anoxia and gas narcosis.
It is also important to consider the environment in which you will dive. If the water is turbid, it may pull a diver's fins or equipment. Strong underwater currents can also separate divers from the boat covers. They may be stranded underwater. A poor visibility may cause the boat crew to miss them. Divers should always carry yellow flags in order to attract attention. 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. You can get compensation depending on what type of accident occurred and how severe your injuries were. For example, if you were a commercial diver, you might be eligible for compensation for lost wages. For more information about the compensation available, you should consult an experienced attorney.
If you were injured on a dive boat, the captain of the vessel may be liable for the accident. The captain may be responsible if you are injured due to alcohol consumption or negligence. If your boat malfunctions, you may also be eligible to compensation if you are seriously injured diving.