Unfortunately, diving accidents can happen but they can be prevented. There are ways to learn from them, prevent them from happening again, and be compensated for any injuries. Read on to learn more about preventing dive accidents and recovering from them. After diving for several years, you have probably heard stories of people who had to get help after dive accidents.
Lessons from scuba diver accidents
According to a DAN report, environmental factors are a major factor in diving accidents. These factors include rapid changes in visibility which could trap divers or take them out of air, malfunctioning regulators and problems with rebreather systems. 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, 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. Additionally, you should learn how to rescue your primary regulator and share air. Ultimately, this will increase your chances of surviving a dive.
Improper use of equipment and poor skills are the main causes of diving accident. 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
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. Proper equipment and training will ensure you don't suffer a decompression or other life-threatening injuries.
Before diving, divers must check the valve in their air tanks. A valve that is partially open can restrict air flow to the regulator, resulting in 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. This procedure can also prevent respiratory complications such gas narcosis and anoxia.
It is also important to consider the environment in which you will dive. Turbid water can pull diver's equipment or fins out of the water. Strong underwater currents could also cause a diver to be separated from their boat cover. They may be stranded underwater. A poor visibility may cause the boat crew to miss them. Yellow flags are also a good idea for divers to use to draw attention to them. 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
You may be eligible for compensation if you are injured in a diving accident. The type of accident that occurred and the extent of your injuries will determine the amount of compensation you are entitled to. If you were injured while diving on a commercial ship, you could be eligible for compensation. You should contact an experienced attorney to learn more about the compensation you can receive.
A captain of a dive boat could be held responsible for injuries sustained by you. If the captain was drunken or negligent, you might be able to sue them. If you are injured while diving, you may also be entitled to compensation if the boat was defective.