BSAC has recently introduced a combined Automated External Defibrillation (AED) and Advanced Oxygen First Aid (AO2)  for Scuba Diving (See BSAC AED for FAQs).  Our very own Wayne has become one of the first in the country to pass the new course and with flying colours!   He undertook the course with Blue Lagoon Diving & Leisure under the auspices of the Territorial Army.  Congratulations Wayne!  The course is designed to train the general diving public (and non diving public) to recognise signs and symptoms of major Dive accidents. It covers how to provide oxygen to injured scuba divers at the highest possible concentration whilst alerting the relevant local emergency services effectively.

Whoa! Cut up that dry suit? Is he worth it...?

The idea is to train divers and others involved in BSAC diving activities with little or no knowledge and experience of Automated External Defibrillators, in their use during a diving emergency situation according to Resuscitation Council (UK) guidelines, with particular attention to precautions required in the diving environment.

The course introduces the use of non rebreather masks, pocket masks and non resuscitator demand valve oxygen units as well as going into the physiology of AGE, decompression sickness and secondary drowning. It also looks at the stats for delay in calling emergency services and also delay to receiving recompression. It is classroom based with dry practical sessions with one or more O2 units. Teaching the use of the rescuean unit is also included, which is useful before an Oxygen Administration kit is available or if there is no O² kit at all as it can be used in combination with a standard Nitrox set up and any Oxygen on the dive site can be used above 21 percent.

 

The following outlines the two courses (provided by Andark) and are recommended by BSAC:

Automated External Defibrillation for Scuba Diving

More than 10% of all dive fatalities are actually caused by cardiovascular disease, according to DAN dive accident and fatality statistics. This course teaches divers and other interested parties to provide care for sudden cardiac arrest including the use of an automated external defibrillator (AEDs).

Prerequisite qualifying courses

• Current CPR is required, however divers and non-divers welcome

 

What the course covers

• Recognizing the warning signs of sudden cardiac arrest.
• Providing Basic Life Support (BLS) while setting up the automated external defibrillator.
• Provide basic life support with an AED
• Care for and maintain an AED

 

Advanced Oxygen First Aid for Scuba Diving Injuries

This advanced-level DAN based program is designed to train personel to use the MTV-100 or a Bag Valve Mask while providing care for a non-breathing injured diver.

Prerequisite qualifying courses

• Oxygen First Aid for Scuba Diving Injuries
• CPR - Current CPR is recommended
• Divers and non-divers welcome

What the course covers

• Use of the Manual Triggered Ventilator (MTV, also known as Resuscitation valve).
• Use of the Bag Valve Mask (BVM).