Unfortunately, diving accidents can happen but they can be prevented. It is possible to learn from these accidents, take preventive steps to avoid them, and receive compensation if you are in one. Find out how to prevent accidents from happening and how you can recover. You've likely heard the stories of divers who were injured in dive accidents after years of diving.
Lessons from scuba diver accidents
In a recent DAN report, environmental factors were a significant factor in scuba diving accidents. Rapid changes in visibility could trap divers, or deprive them from air. Problems with regulators and malfunctioning rebreather units were also factors. Changes in currents and waves pose dangers to divers who aren't physically or mentally fit.
Divers should be taught to breathe underwater. Breathing, no matter how simple it may sound, helps diver calm nerves, concentrate and connect to their bodies. Many common diving injuries can be avoided by learning to breathe properly and practicing it often. It's also important to learn how you can share air and retrieve 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 often involve improper use or cylinder valves. This is a sign that a diver should consider resuming diving or abandoning the dive.
Preventive steps
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. 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.
Before diving, divers must check the valve in their air tanks. Partially open valves can cause restricted airflow to the regulator and lead to diving accidents. To prevent this, the diver should slowly open and close the valve until it stops. This will prevent overpressure from causing death. It can also help to avoid respiratory complications such a gas narcosis or anoxia.
It is important to take into account the environment you will be diving in. Divers' equipment and fins may be pulled if the water is too turbid. In addition, strong underwater currents can separate a diver from the boat cover. This could result in them being stranded on the water. They may not be noticed by the boat crew if the visibility is poor. Yellow flags are also a good idea for divers to use to draw attention to them. You can also use your personal submersible EPIRB or vhf to alert others to your presence.
Compensation for accident victims
Compensation may be available if you have been in an accident that involved diving. You may be eligible for compensation depending on the nature of the accident and the severity of the injuries. If you were diving on a commercial dive ship, for example, you may be entitled to compensation for lost wages. A qualified attorney should be consulted to find out more about the compensation that you could receive.
A captain of a dive boat could be held responsible for injuries sustained by you. If the captain was drinking alcohol or negligent, you may be able to sue him or her. If the boat is defective, you might also be entitled for compensation if your dive accident results in you being hurt.