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A Divers Guide to Getting Rescued after Drifting

It is widely acknowledged that the majority of scuba diving incidents actually occur on or near the surface. As such it is vital that divers carry a signaling device like a safety sausage or dive flag to alert boats and other potential rescuers to their position.

Whilst working in the Red Sea I took a group of students on a dive that we normally avoided due to strong currents. On this day the weather was in our favour so my group dived first followed by three other groups, led by dive guides, at various intervals.

We started our dive into the current and enjoyed a spectacular coral encrusted vertical wall which was great fun to drift back along as we neared the end of our dive. Hanging on the safety line I noticed just how much the current had picked up but we were all soon back on board. However, the other groups did not fare quite so well. We let out a tag line off the stern and some divers were able to get on it but others surfaced quite a distance away. Without dive flags and S.M.B.s they were not easy to spot and keep in sight.

So, you have drifted down current and the boat is a tiny speck on the horizon. What is the best way to get rescued?

Prepare for Rescue

Firstly, donâ€™t attempt to fight the current unless it is fairly weak otherwise you will waste precious energy and if you are using your reg., you will burn air at an alarming rate. If conditions allow you could submerge and pull yourself hand over hand along the bottom where the current is weakest otherwise concentrate on getting buoyant, conserving energy and planning on how to signal the dive boat.

Signal

To get rescued you have to get noticed. In such circumstances a pocket B.C. flag such as the H.E.L.P. is ideal to let a boat know where you are. A bright yellow extendable dive flag like the H.E.L.P. has been shown to be seen for up to 3 km and is perfect to enable potential rescuers to both find and keep you in sight. Other items that can also help in diver location are safety sausages and audible devices such as whistles and air horns. Audible devices can be very effective in gaining attention but you cant â€˜seeâ€™ sound so a dive flag is still imperative to get you seen quickly.

Stay Calm

If you have been seen you will be rescued (particularly if have made yourself easy to find with a dive flag etc). Sometimes you have to be patient, as the boat captain may need to collect other divers first. Remain calm, keep your snorkel/reg and mask in place and be prepared to drop your weights if necessary.

Take a Fix

Keep your eye firmly on the boat and continue signaling with your dive flag, S.M.B. etc. If you are in immediate distress then wave your flag otherwise just let it mark your position and wait for your pickup.

Stay Warm

A few hours in the water can make you pretty cold. Swimming burns energy but doesnâ€™t make you any warmer. Cuddle yourself and conserve energy and heat. Clip you dive flag/S.M.B. to yourself so it will act as a permanent marker

Prevention is better than cure. Plan your dive, listen to the dive brief, start off against the current, be practiced in navigation skills and always carry an emergency signaling device like a dive flag.