Diver airlifted to Poole Recompression Chamber after a rapid ascent in Dorset


Just before 3:15pm today (3 May) UK Coastguard received a PAN PAN (Urgency) broadcast from a diving vessel east of Portland Bill, reporting that one of its divers required urgent medical assistance following a rapid ascent.

The Coastguard search and rescue helicopter based at Portland, airlifted the diver to the recompression chamber at Poole.  The Poole Coastguard Rescue Team manned the landing site at the hospital.

Mathew McInally, Duty Controller UK Coastguard said,

“The dive boat did exactly the right thing in alerting the Coastguard to the situation by broadcasting a PAN PAN message as soon as the diver began showing symptoms of decompression sickness.”

“We would urge all divers and dive groups to let someone know where they are planning to dive and when they are planning to return. Also, make sure you familiarise yourself with new or different dive gear before planning deep dives and always dive within your limits.”



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