DATELINE: 5 June, 2002

JUBILEE BRINGS MULTIPLE BENDS
The Jubilee Bank Holiday proved a busy one for the Coastguard with multiple call outs for divers suffering fast ascents and suspected bends.
Two divers are seriously ill in the Poole recompression chamber with spinal bends after fast ascents from deep wrecks over the Bank Holiday break. Dive boat Atlantis2 called for assistance after a man surfaced rapidly from a 57m air dive on the wreck of the Medina. No decompression stops were made.
"The skipper was brilliant: had him on oxygen and called the helicopter straight away. The helicopter arrived in minutes and took him off - it was unbelievably fast. He couldn't have asked for better. Now we're all hoping very much that he'll recover" said a diver who was on board.
A diver aboard Divetime from Weymouth missed multiple stops after a 55m dive on the wreck of Warrior II.
Both men are considered lucky to be alive. "A fast response is essential in thesecases," commented a spokeman for the Coastguard. "Literally every minute counts." The Coastguard have made it clear that they would always prefer to be contacted as soon as possible whenever a diver has had a fast ascent, missed stops, or has any symptoms of illness following a dive. "There is no penalty for calling us, and it could make a huge difference to the casualty."

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