Pioneering Safety: PDA & Dr Phil Bryson Lead the Way in Underwater Rescue Innovation

The Professional Diving Academy (PDA), in collaboration with Dr Philip Bryson of TAC Healthcare, has conducted groundbreaking research in Dunoon, unveiling the potential to revolutionise underwater rescue techniques.

The Closed Bell Resuscitation Trial

The PDA hosted the 'Closed Bell Resuscitation Trial,' an innovative event where diving and medical experts from around the world gathered at Sandbank's Professional Diving Academy. They aimed to introduce a potential game-changer in diver safety protocols.

Experts from the diving industry convened within the Sandbank's Industrial Estate to explore innovative methods for rescuing divers experiencing heart attacks or strokes deep beneath the surface. Equipped with diving bells, advanced cameras, medical apparatus, and simulated scenarios, these professionals gathered for a week to refine their strategies and enhance the method of saving divers' lives underwater.

Addressing Occupational Hazards

The concept of a saturation diver or deep-water diver represents a unique occupational hazard. However, traditional emergency protocols prove inadequate in the unforgiving depths when faced with medical emergencies such as heart attacks or strokes. The logistical challenges of transferring an incapacitated diver into the confined space of a diving bell, along with the time-sensitive nature of administering medical attention, highlight the urgency of developing more effective rescue methodologies.

The ‘Closed Bell Resuscitation Trial’ holds significant importance and could have a profound impact on the global diving industry. Dr Philip Bryson, a global diving medical advisor for TAC Healthcare and the driving force behind this initiative, emphasised the critical importance of this research. Drawing from years of experience and a collaborative effort with REMEDY, a Derby Hospital Group specialising in emergency resuscitation, Dr Bryson highlighted the significance of real-world applications in refining their techniques.

Addressing Age-related Challenges

The significance of this research cannot be overstated, especially with an ageing workforce within the diving industry. As divers become increasingly susceptible to age-related medical conditions, the need for effective emergency protocols becomes more pressing than ever.  The average age of North Sea divers is 45, and a recent survey conducted in Aberdeen revealed that there are even divers as old as 70 still actively working underwater. With a more mature workforce, the risk of medical conditions, particularly heart conditions and strokes, increases significantly, especially when considering factors such as blood pressure. Dr Bryson shared:

Many years ago we were working on the recovery of an unconscious diver Into a diving bell at depth and one the problems we found was once you got the diver back Into the bell and they were unconscious and weren't breathing what do you do? The taught techniques, back then were the chest to knee, (placing a knee, on the patient’s sternum and pulling them towards you), and the headbutt technique, (using your head by butting it against the patients sternum), but there was no evidence, these techniques, worked successfully. Since then, and for the last 12 years, I've been trying to raise funds to study how to do cardiopulmonary resuscitation in a diving bell. This here today is the end game.

The 'Dunoon Method' and Industry Collaboration

Alastair Baird, co-director of the PDA, emphasised the altruistic motive driving this initiative—a commitment to enhancing diver safety and potentially saving lives. By spearheading this trial, the PDA aims to usher in a new era of safety standards supported by evidence-based research and collaborative efforts with industry stakeholders.

There was talk around the event that the final guidance agreed upon, on how to deal with a medical emergency of this type for saturation divers, will be named the ‘Dunoon method’.

In the words of Ally Macleod, technical advisor for diving at IMCA, this trial exemplifies the power of teamwork and underscores the profound impact achievable through collective industry collaboration. The Professional Diving Academy in Dunoon has set a precedent for future generations, reaffirming their unwavering commitment to advancing diver safety on a global scale.

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