If a diver becomes unresponsive, what is the Dive Supervisor’s immediate action?

• A. Initiate the pre-planned emergency rescue procedure, alert standby diver, and begin retrieval to surface.
• B. Notify the vessel to lower the anchor.
• C. Continue the dive and address upon surfacing.
• D. Inform the shore team and return to the surface.

Answer: (A)

Immediate action is to trigger the pre-planned emergency rescue and bring the standby diver into play while beginning the ascent to the surface. When a diver is unresponsive, time is critical because the chances of a safe rescue and effective resuscitation drop quickly without rapid ventilation and support. Activating the emergency plan ensures everyone knows their roles, the rescue equipment is used correctly, and the standby diver can assist with a controlled retrieval so the unresponsive diver can be treated on the surface without delays. Delaying to continue the dive, or to inform distant teams first, would waste precious seconds and complicate the rescue.