Although they are often fatal, scuba diving accidents can be avoided. It is possible to learn from these accidents, take preventive steps to avoid them, and receive compensation if you are in one. You can learn more about how you can prevent diving accidents and how to get help after one. You've likely heard the stories of divers who were injured in dive accidents after years of diving.
Lessons learned from scuba diving accidents
In a recent DAN report, environmental factors were a significant factor in scuba diving accidents. These factors included rapid changes in visibility that could trap divers or deprive them of air, problems with regulators, and malfunctioning rebreather devices. Divers who have never been diving before may be at greater risk from changing currents or waves.
Divers should be taught to breathe underwater. As simple as it may seem, breathing helps to calm nerves, concentrate, and connects the diver to his or her body. Regular practice of your breathing techniques can help you avoid common diving injuries. It's also important to learn how you can share air and retrieve your primary regulator. You will have a better chance of making it through a dive.
Poor skills and inadequacy of equipment are two of the leading causes of diving accidents. These issues are usually caused by improper use of air and cylinder valves. If these problems occur, a diver should reconsider diving or abort the dive altogether.
Preventive measures
Scuba diving is a relatively safe sport, but it is still important to practice proper preparation and follow instructions. Simple steps can help prevent minor problems from becoming serious and leading 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.
Before diving, divers must check the valve in their air tanks. The regulator can become obstructed if the valve is partially opened. This could lead to a diving accident. Slowly open the valve until it stops. This will prevent the valve from overpressurizing, which can lead to fatalities. It can also help prevent respiratory complications like anoxia or gas narcosis.
You should also consider the environment where you are going to dive. Divers' equipment and fins may be pulled if the water is too turbid. Strong underwater currents could also cause a diver to be separated from their boat cover. They may be stranded underwater. They may not be noticed by the boat crew if the visibility is poor. In addition, divers should carry yellow flags to attract attention to themselves. To signal their presence to others on shore, divers can use an EPIRB (personal submersible emergency oxygen radio) or a vhf radio.
Compensation for accident victims
If you are hurt in a dive accident, you might be eligible to receive compensation. The amount of compensation that you can claim depends on the type of accident you were involved in and how severe the injuries were. If you were diving on a commercial dive ship, for example, you may be entitled to compensation for lost wages. You should contact an experienced attorney to learn more about the compensation you can receive.
The captain of the boat might be liable if you were hurt in a diving boat accident. You may be able sue the captain if he or she was drunk or negligent. If the boat is defective, you might also be entitled for compensation if your dive accident results in you being hurt.