DIVE BOAT COMMENDED BY SHETLAND COASTGUARD

Shetland Coastguard are praising the swift actions of a local dive boat today after their fast response led to a diver who made a rapid ascent beginning his recompression in just over an hour.

The Coastguard received a call from the dive vessel 'Jean Elaine' at 1.10 pm on 22 April 2001 to report that a diver had made a rapid ascent. The 38-year-old man had made his rapid ascent, missing the crucial stops on his way, after he became ill on the dive.

’Jean Elaine’ made its own way, with the diver who had been diving on the wrecks in Scapa Flow, Orkney, to Houthon Pier, where a waiting ambulance transferred the man along with a doctor to Balfour Hospital, Kirkwall, Orkney. He was then taken to the recompression centre at Stromness, which is run by the International Centre for
Island Technology, a spur of the Herriott Watt University. The man is now recompressing and will be in the recompression chamber for 4 hours and 45 minutes.

Alex Wylie, Shetland Coastguard Watch Manager said, "Due to the very prompt action of the ‘Jean Elaine’, the diver is now making a fast recovery. Speed is of the essence in diving incidents and the slickness of this operation will certainly help this man.

"We would like to take this opportunity to wish our local diving fraternity an enjoyable exciting but safe diving season."