Dive Safety Protocols – The Importance of Standardized Practices – by Al Hornsby, owner, Al Hornsby Productions, Singapore Al is regarded as one of the industry’s most experienced risk management litigation executives. BUSINESS EDU
this, he decided to tow as fast as he could, and to not risk the extra time and effort to continue rescue breaths along the way. In the end, with the mate’s help, he managed to get the victim into the boat, but it was too late, and the unfor- tunate man did not respond to CPR and O2. However, crit- ical facts were just not knowable – especially such as at what point in the entire episode the man had passed away. What was known and obvious was that the rescuer made a valiant effort to get the victim out of the surf, and to get him to the boat as quickly as possible, even risking injury to himself to do so. The resulting lawsuit named the dive operation, the store owner and PADI, claiming (among other things) that the rescue was not done properly (no in-water rescue breaths) and that PADI’s CPR and rescue training was flawed. Expert witnesses (including prominent competitors of PADI) blamed PADI, the store owner and the store. The several- day trial was conducted before a jury. Ultimately, PADI –
In an industry with “standards” com- mon, how they are used and the impor- tance they have in day-to-day business far exceed the typical norms in every- day life. While many activities have common practices, in diving they are
more constantly used as guides to behavior. When we look at learning to dive; being able to get cylinders filled; being allowed on a dive boat; buying and/or renting certain equip- ment, etc., virtually every significant step in dive activities is guided by (or subject to) developed standards and practices, for the simple purpose of building and maintaining diver safety. And, overall, it works, as risk-inclusive activities go, diving’s overall safety record is indeed impressive. With the existence of such standard practices, however – especially those that have been consistently publicized and put into popular use - come implied obligations and respon- sibilities, as well, with the potential of fault being found
which uses and teaches standardized, universally-practiced CPR and rescue techniques - was exonerated, but the dive center and its owner were found culpable, allegedly as having provided an improper in-water rescue response (specifically including the ending of res- cue breaths) - despite the fact that no one actually knew at what point in the
when an injury occurs associated with the perceived ‘violation’ of such a practice. In a dive accident, whether a rule or practice actually was a/the critical issue (or not), may unfortu- nately be determined in litigation, after-the-fact. One of the best examples of this potential issue occurred some years
Divers Practicing Rescues
entire episode the victim actually had passed. Also, this ad- verse verdict happened even though providing rescue breaths under these circumstances would likely have not made any difference in outcome. The jury seemed to ignore this fact. As touched on earlier, in-water rescues are difficult and not always successful, but their use has been developed over years of research and practice. Most often, what ultimately now exists as standard practices in the industry have gener- ally proven themselves, but they may also be used as the measure against which – fairly or not – specific behaviors might be compared. Standardized practices should be care- fully studied, periodically refreshed and adhered-to by staff
ago at a popular resort-diving island in the US. The dive cen- ter operator, a longtime instructor, was guiding a 4-person family group on a boat-dive excursion. The oldest diver, the father, in his 50’s, had some, fair diving experience…the other family-members were certified but less experienced. Conditions were good, with clear water and a light swell, the site was off an iron-shore, reef-flat adjacent to some well- lit arches and shallow tunnels. At one point, the father got too close to the reef-flat and was washed up onto it, with the surge moving him back and forth across the rough reef for several minutes. The dive operator, risking his own safety, went up into the surge and managed to bring the - by then, unconscious - diver off the reef. With the boat anchored some 75 yards away, he began towing the diver out, giving rescue breaths. Tiring, he de- cided that getting the victim to the boat where the mate could assist with CPR and O2 was the most critical issue. In
as fully as possible. In a court room, in the midst of a painful litigation, is not where you want opinions about them to be put to the test.
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