What steps should be taken if a diver experiences a medical emergency while in the water?

Complete your ADCI Dive Supervisor Certification. Review with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each question includes hints and detailed explanations to ensure understanding and success on your test.

When a diver experiences a medical emergency in the water, the priority is to act quickly using the dive operation’s emergency action plan: stabilize the diver, provide appropriate first aid, and get professional care as soon as possible while coordinating surface support. Begin medical aid immediately, monitor vital needs, manage airway, breathing, and circulation, and treat injuries as needed. Arrange transport to a medical facility so the diver can receive definitive care, whether that means a surface pickup, a boat transfer, or medevac arrangements as available. Notify the supervisor right away so on-site resources can be mobilized, the incident is coordinated, and proper documentation can be started. Follow the established emergency medical protocol to keep actions consistent with training and safety standards. Ignoring the emergency, waiting for a surface beacon before acting, or returning to port without activating the plan can waste critical time and put the diver at greater risk.