Scuba diving accidents are unfortunate but preventable. Learn from them and take preventive measures to reduce them. If you do get hurt, you can be compensated. Continue reading to learn how to prevent and recover from dive accidents. After many years of diving, you've probably heard about people who needed help following an accident.
Lessons from scuba diving mistakes
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. As simple as it may seem, breathing helps to calm nerves, concentrate, and connects the diver to his or her body. You can avoid many common diving injuries by practicing your breathing skills regularly. You should also learn to share air and to recover your primary regulator. This will increase your chances to survive a dive.
Unskilled and incorrect equipment use are the two main causes of diving injuries. These problems are often caused by poor use of the air and valves. Divers should either reconsider diving or stop doing it altogether if these issues occur.
Preventive steps
While scuba diving can be considered a safe sport, it is essential to do your preparation properly and follow all instructions. Small problems can be prevented from turning into major issues and causing an accident. Proper equipment and training will ensure you don't suffer a decompression or other life-threatening injuries.
Divers should inspect their air tanks for leakages 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 will prevent overpressure from causing death. It can also help prevent respiratory complications like anoxia or gas narcosis.
It is also important to consider the environment in which you will dive. The water may pull the equipment or fins of a diver if it is murky. Strong underwater currents may also be able to separate a diver and the boat cover. They may be stranded underwater. In poor visibility, they may not be seen by the boat crew. To draw attention to themselves, divers should be wearing yellow flags. Divers may also use a personal submersible EPIRB, or vhf Radio to signal their presence.
Compensation for accident victims
You may be eligible for compensation if you are injured in a diving accident. The amount of compensation that you can claim depends on the type of accident you were involved in and how severe the injuries were. For example, if you were a commercial diver, you might be eligible for compensation for lost wages. To learn more about what compensation you may be eligible for, consult an experienced attorney.
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.