While scuba diving injuries are not uncommon, they can be prevented. Learn from them and take preventive measures to reduce them. If you do get hurt, you can be compensated. You can learn more about how you can prevent diving accidents and how to get help after one. After years of diving, many people have heard of those who were unable to swim or were injured in an accident.
Lessons from scuba diving mistakes
According to a DAN report, environmental factors are a major factor in diving accidents. These factors included sudden changes in visibility, which could trap divers and deprive them air, problems with regulators, as well as malfunctioning rebreather device. Divers who are not physically fit or experienced also faced dangers due to changing currents and waves.
The first lesson a diver should learn when diving is not to hold their breath underwater. Breathing is as simple as it seems. It helps calm nerves and concentrate the diver. You can avoid many common diving injuries by practicing your breathing skills regularly. Also, learn how share air and recover your primary regulator. This will increase your chances to survive a dive.
Poor skills and inadequacy of equipment are two of the leading causes of diving accidents. These problems are often caused by poor use of the air and valves. These problems can cause a diver to reconsider diving or abandon the dive.
Preventive measures
Although diving is quite safe, it's important to be prepared and follow the instruction. Simple steps can help prevent minor problems from becoming serious and leading to an accident. A good training program and equipment will help you avoid serious injuries or life-threatening emergencies.
Divers should inspect their air tanks for leakages before diving. Divers should check the valve on their air tanks before diving. A partially closed valve can stop air flow to regulators, which could cause an 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.
You should also consider the environment where you are going to dive. A diver's equipment may be pulled by turbid water. Strong underwater currents could also cause a diver to be separated from their boat cover. They could end up stranded in water. If the visibility is poor, the boat crew may fail to notice them. Yellow flags are also a good idea for divers to use to draw attention to them. Divers can also use a personal EPIRB (emergency oxygen) submersible or vhf radio signaling their presence to shore.
Compensation for accident victims
Compensation may be available if you have been in an accident that involved diving. You may be eligible for compensation depending on the nature of the accident and the severity of the injuries. You may also be eligible to receive compensation for lost wages if you were on a commercial diving ship. To learn more about what compensation you may be eligible for, consult an experienced attorney.
If you were hurt on a diveboat, the captain may be liable. You can sue the captain for drinking or negligence if they were at fault. If the boat is not in good condition, you could also be eligible for compensation if you are hurt while diving.