Unfortunately, diving accidents can happen but 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. Learn more about how to prevent dive accidents and how to recover from them. After years of diving, many people have heard of those who were unable to swim or were injured in an accident.
Lessons from scuba diver accidents
A DAN report recently found that environmental factors were a major cause of scuba diving injuries. These factors included changes in visibility that could trap divers. 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, no matter how simple it may sound, helps diver calm nerves, concentrate and connect to their bodies. You can avoid many common diving injuries by practicing your breathing skills regularly. It's also important to learn how you can share air and retrieve your primary regulator. These will help you survive a dive.
Unskilled and incorrect equipment use are the two main causes of diving injuries. These issues are usually caused by improper use of air and cylinder valves. These problems can cause a diver to reconsider diving or abandon the dive.
Preventive measures
While scuba diving can be considered a safe sport, it is essential to do your preparation properly and follow all instructions. It is possible to avoid small problems becoming big problems that can lead to an accident. You will also be able to avoid a decompression injury and other life-threatening emergencies by having the right equipment and training.
Divers must make sure that the valve on their tanks is open before they dive. The regulator can become obstructed if the valve is partially opened. This could lead to a diving accident. When the valve stops, the diver should open it slowly. This will prevent the valve from overpressurizing, which can lead to fatalities. It can also help to avoid respiratory complications such a gas narcosis or anoxia.
It is also important that you consider the environment in your dive area. Turbid water can pull diver's equipment or fins out of the water. A diver can be pulled from the boat cover by strong underwater currents. These could cause them to become stranded. 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. 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 can get compensation depending on what type of accident occurred and how severe your injuries were. 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.
If you were injured on a dive boat, the captain of the vessel may be liable for the accident. You can sue the captain for drinking or negligence if they were at fault. If the boat is not in good condition, you could also be eligible for compensation if you are hurt while diving.