11. EMERGENCY PROCEDURES GUIDELINES


	11.1. GENERAL POLICY
		In an emergency, personnel must act quickly and effectively to minimize injury and/or 
		prevent death.  While it is impossible to anticipate all emergencies, prior planning and 
		proper training are key to dealing with emergency situations.  These guidelines provide 
		a planning tool which, when used properly, will allow an Emergency Action Plan to be 
		developed and in place prior to the start of diving operations.


	11.2. FORMULATING AN EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN
		When formulating an Emergency Action Plan for an ECU scientific diving project, many
		factor should be considered.  The following is a partial list of information and considerations 
		which deserve forethought as you pull together the Emergency Action Plan  for a specific site.
		11.2.1. Emergency Numbers and Information
				* Number of EMS and nearest hospital phone and location
				* Location and contact information for nearest recompression chamber
				* Number of poison control
				* DAN emergency number (919) 684-8111
				* Emergency contact information for divers
				* ECU Diving and Water Safety number  (919) 328-4041
				* Contact list (Diving Safety Officer, Diving and Water Safety Control Board, Environmental Health 
					& Safety, University Risk Manager, etc.  This information may vary from project to 
					project and should be updated prior to each operation.)
		11.2.2. Equipment Requirements at Location
				* Oxygen kit
				* First Aid kit
				* Pen and paper
				* Forms
				* Lines for search/recovery
				* Backboard, Life rings, Life jackets, etc.
				* Communications equipment (VHF radio, cellular phone, pay phone, CB radio, etc.)
				* Flares and signaling devices
				* Additional site specific equipment
	11.2.3. Personnel Considerations
			* Team members backgrounds and personalities
			* Who will be in charge of what?
	11.2.4. Site considerations
			* Marine life
			* Entrapments or entanglements
			* Physical Hazards
			* Depth
			* Currents
	11.2.5. Action Plan
			* Emergency Recognition / Activation of Emergency Action Plan
			* How to recall divers and alert personnel
			* Search for and recover injured / missing diver
			* Spotting Team
			* Search and Recovery Team
			* Transport Team (swimmers or boat)
			* Individual to get help
			* In-water evaluation and response (airway & breathing)
			* Transport to platform or beach
			* Extrication from water
			* Evaluation and ABC's
			* Activation of EMS (ambulance, Coast Guard. etc.)
			* Appropriate first aid (CPR, Oxygen, Shock treatment, etc.)
			* Gather information (diver, buddy, equipment, observer, DAN nuero-cue-card, 
				ECU Accident Reporting Worksheet)
			* Evacuation procedures
			* Evacuation mode/route
			* Call DAN if appropriate.
			* Send information and a carrier with EMS (ensure understand compressed 
				gas was used)
			* Notification protocols
			* Follow up and reporting procedures

Obviously, a dive accident plan can vary substantially from project to project.  
Regardless of the project, the emergency accident plan and contingency plans 
should be formulated and made clear to the dive team.  It often helps to visualize 
a worst case scenario.  On-site accident drills are recommended to illustrate roles, 
required actions, and potential problems.


	11.3. HELICOPTER EVACUATION PROCEDURES
		* Each helicopter evacuation is different, each one presents its own problems, but 
		knowing what to expect and the procedures to follow can save time, effort, and perhaps a life.
			* Try to establish communications with the helicopter.  If your boat is unable to furnish 
				the necessary frequency, try to work through another boat.	
			* Maintain speed of 10 to 15 knots, do not slow down or stop.
			* Maintain course into wind about 20 degrees on port bow.
			* Put all antennas down if possible, without losing communications.
			* Secure all loose objects on/or around decks.
			* Always let the lifting device (stretcher) touch the boat before handling it to 
				prevent electric shock.
			* Place lift jacket on patient.
			* Tie patient in basket, face up.
			* If patient cannot communicate, place in the stretcher as much information as you 
				can about him, such as, name, age, address, what happened, and what medication he 
				has been given.
			* If the patient is a diving accident victim, ensure flight crew has copy of or is instructed 
				on medical procedures for diving accidents.
			* If diving accident victim, ensure flight crew delivers victim to hyperbaric trauma system 
				(recompression chamber complex).
			* If patient dies, inform flight crew so that they take no unnecessary risks.


DSM96