RNLI Helps Diver with Decompression Sickness

On Tuesday, October 14, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) Longhope Lifeboat was requested to launch by the Coastguards.

They had been called out to assist a diver who was showing symptoms of decompression sickness aboard the dive boat Radiant Queen.

The casualty was transferred to the lifeboat which then set off at full speed to the hyperbaric chamber in Stromness.

Oxygen was administered to the casualty on passage by lifeboat crew members and they arrived safely in Stromness. They were met by the Coastguards and the Ambulance Service and the diver was quickly taken to the chamber.

Deputy Coxswain, Colin Bates, said: “Thankfully enough crew members were close by and we were underway five minutes from being paged. Sea conditions were very good and we got the casualty to the chamber as fast as was possible.”

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland from 236 lifeboat stations.

Press Release, October 15, 2014; Image: RNLI