Although some scuba diving incidents are tragic, they can often be avoided. It is possible to learn from these accidents, take preventive steps to avoid them, and receive compensation if you are in one. You can learn more about how you can prevent diving accidents and how to get help after one. After many years of diving, you've probably heard about people who needed help following an accident.
Lessons from scuba diving mistakes
Recent DAN reports revealed that environmental factors played a major role in the number of scuba diving accident. Rapid changes in visibility could trap divers, or deprive them from air. Problems with regulators and malfunctioning rebreather units were also factors. Divers without the right experience or fitness can also be exposed to dangers from shifting currents.
The first lesson a diver should learn when diving is not to hold their breath underwater. Breathing can help calm nerves, improve concentration, and connect the diver to his/her body. Regular practice of your breathing techniques can help you avoid 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 usually involve incorrect use of the air cylinder valves. If these problems occur, a diver should reconsider diving or abort the dive altogether.
Preventive measures
Scuba diving can be a very safe sport. However, it is important that you practice good preparation and follow all the instructions. A few simple steps can avoid minor issues from becoming major ones and lead to an incident. In addition, proper equipment and training will help ensure that you will not end up with a decompression injury or experience a life-threatening emergency.
Divers need to check their air tanks before diving. An open valve can prevent air flow and cause a diving accident. When the valve stops, the diver should open it slowly. This procedure will prevent an overpressure, a condition that may lead to death. 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 could also cause a diver to be separated from their boat cover. These could cause them to become stranded. If the visibility is poor, the boat crew may fail to notice them. To draw attention to themselves, divers should be wearing yellow flags. They can also use a personal submersible EPIRB (emergency oxygen) or vhf radio to signal their presence to those on shore.
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. Compensation for lost wages may be available if the accident occurred while you were working on a commercial dive vessel. 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 the boat is defective, you might also be entitled for compensation if your dive accident results in you being hurt.