VANCOUVER, British Columbia (30 Aug 2006) -- Three divers got into trouble in two separate accidents on Sunday while diving at Whytecliff Park. "It's quite unusual to have that many diving accidents in one day," said Martin Ernst, acting assistant chief of fire prevention and public education for West Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services. "We do have quite a few per year, but it is unusual to have two in a day in that spot." Whytecliff Park is a very popular destination for many divers. The first incident occurred at approximately 10:15 a.m. North Shore emergency services were notified of a scuba diver in distress at the park. When they arrived on the scene, they found a 21-year-old female diver from Maple Ridge who had made an emergency ascent from a depth of approximately six metres (20 feet) after experiencing a malfunction of her breathing apparatus, said Sgt. Paul Skelton, spokesman for the West Vancouver Police Department. Ernst said when she surfaced, she felt ill and numb. She was transported by a B.C. Ambulance Service air ambulance to Vancouver General Hospital's decompression chamber. She was eventually released from hospital. Less than two hours later, at approximately 12:20 p.m., emergency services personnel were again called to the park, this time for two more divers in distress. Skelton said the problems started when one 31-year-old diver in a group noticed a problem with his oxygen gauge while at a depth of approximately 24 metres (79 feet). He signalled to another diver for help and the pair "buddy breathed" to the surface, said Ernst. | | B.C. Ambulance Service air ambulance arrives on the beach at Whytecliff Park to transport a diver who was in distress at one of two accidents at the park on Sunday to hospital. A further problem was that during the subsequent ascent, the second diver, also 31-years-old, accidentally dropped her weight belt at a depth of approximately 17 metres (56 feet) causing them to ascend uncontrolled, said Skelton. "When they reached the surface they were complaining of headaches and numbness as well, which can be . . . a sign of decompression illness which is the bends," said Ernst. Paramedics treated the divers, both from Surrey, on the beach. Meanwhile, the air ambulance returned to the scene and rushed them to Vancouver General Hospital. They were later discharged from hospital. Ernst said there were a number of novice divers on the beach at the time of the accidents; however, they are unsure of the level of experience of those involved in the two accidents. SOURCE - North Shore NewsSCUBA FORUMDISCUSS THIS TOPIC - Dive in and have your say at Scuba Forum |
