Scuba diving accidents are unfortunate but preventable. There are ways to learn from them, prevent them from happening again, and be compensated for any injuries. Learn more about how to prevent dive accidents and how to recover from them. After years of diving, many people have heard of those who were unable to swim or were injured in an accident.
Lessons from scuba dive accidents
DAN recently reported that environmental factors were major contributors to scuba divers' accidents. These factors included changes in visibility that could trap divers. 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 helps calm nerves, focus, and connects the diver with his or her body. 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.
Poor skills and inadequacy of equipment are two of the leading causes of diving accidents. These problems typically involve improper use of the air and cylinder valves. Divers should either reconsider diving or stop doing it altogether if these issues occur.
Preventive measures
Although scuba diving is relatively safe, it is important to follow the instructions and practice proper preparation. 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 need to check their air tanks before diving. An open valve can prevent air flow and cause a diving accident. To prevent this, the diver should slowly open and close the valve until it stops. This will prevent overpressure from causing death. It can also be used to prevent respiratory complications, such as anoxia (gas narcosis) and other serious conditions.
It is important to take into account the environment you will be diving in. Divers' equipment and fins may be pulled if the water is too turbid. Strong underwater currents may also be able to separate a diver and the boat cover. They may be stranded underwater. They may not be noticed by the boat crew if the visibility is poor. To draw attention to themselves, divers should be wearing yellow flags. 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
If you are hurt in a dive accident, you might be eligible to receive compensation. The amount of compensation you can claim will depend on the type and severity of the injury. You may also be eligible to receive compensation for lost wages if you were on a commercial diving ship. You should contact an experienced attorney to learn more about the compensation you can receive.
If you were hurt on a diveboat, the captain may be liable. The captain may be responsible if you are injured due to alcohol consumption or negligence. If the boat is defective, you might also be entitled for compensation if your dive accident results in you being hurt.