Emergency guide
![unconscious person](/fileadmin/images/bewusstlos_sehr_schmal_quer.jpg)
Finding an injured or dead person
- First of all, assess the situation
Pay attention to safety
Always protect yourself and ensure your own safety! Only then can you look after the injured person.
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Then turn to the injured person and check whether they are conscious
Checking consciousness
- Address the injured person in a loud voice and establish body contact
![](/fileadmin/images/symbols/pfeil_nach_links_unten.png)
Person is conscious
![](/fileadmin/images/symbols/pfeil_nach_rechts_unten.png)
Person is unconscious
- Check breathing (look, listen, feel, max. 10 seconds)
![](/fileadmin/images/symbols/pfeil_nach_unten.png)
- Call for immediate assistance (bystanders, pedestrians), speak to them directly and get help / call the emergency services.
- Then look after the injured person until professional help arrives.
![](/fileadmin/images/handy_sehr_schmal_quer.jpg)
ALWAYS call for help and call the emergency services
Emergency Call: 112
Call the emergency services! Once you have received help for your urgent emergency situation, you can also call the aqua med emergency hotline for further assistance:
+49 421 240 110-10 (diveline)
What to do if the person is unconscious
The person is breathing
- Put the person in recovery position
- Check breathing continously
- Give 100% O2 (after a diving accident)
- Stay with the person and wait until the emergency services or a doctor arrive(s)
The person is NOT breathing
- Begin cardiopulmonary respiration (CPR: 30 chest compressions at a rate of approx. 120 per minute → (standard rule: rhythm from Stayin' Alive by the Bee Gees)
- Provide artificial respiration, if possible, two times after each 30 chest compressions
- Try to obtain an automated external defibrillator (AED); if no AED is available, continue with CPR
- If an AED is available, follow the instructions for the device; if necessary, shock using the AED (ensure you protect yourself)
- Repeat these steps until the injured person is breathing independently or a doctor has arrived
What to do in case of a decompression sickness
In the event of decompression sickness (DCS), a distinction is made between mild and severe symptoms
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Mild symptoms
- Fatigue
- Itching
- Give 100% O2 (if possible using a demand valve)
- Give fluids (0.5 - 1 litre per hour)
- If there are still any symptoms after 30 minutes: Continue treatment as with severe symptoms
Severe symptoms
- Pain
- Skin abnormalities (redness, rash, e.g. cutis marmorata)
- Numbness, pins and needles
- Severe nausea / dizziness / loss of hearing
- Problems with speech / breathing / movement
- Give 100% O2 (if possible using a demand valve)
- Give fluids (0.5 - 1 litre per hour), not if there is risk of fainting
- Initiate recompression therapy
Procedure for either mild OR severe symptoms
- Call for help and have someone call the emergency services
- If the diver is unconscious, proceed as described in the emergency guide
- Ensure the person remains calm. Do not force the person to lay down!
- Protect the injured person from becoming too cold or too hot
- Caution: The signs of a diving accident may also be delayed!
Keep the person and any other divers under observation until the emergency services or a doctor arrive(s) - Secure the equipment and hand over the dive computer to the emergency services