Castaways Sub-Aqua Club
	A Branch (Branch No 2071) of The British Sub-Aqua Club

Oxygen Administration & First Aid for Divers

Strawberry Special, Cheddar

29th & 30th January 2000

The BSAC offer a number of training courses that are relevant to diving but are not necessarily mandatory parts of a particular diving grade. These are called Skill Development Courses (SDCs) and cover a variety of subjects. Some of the more useful SDCs are related to diver safety and rescue skills. In an effort to raise the general safety and competence in the club we decide to run a weekend of safety related SDCs at the beginning of this year. Because of the nature of these courses approved instructors must run them. We were very lucky to have Paul Leyland to oversee the running of the courses, and keep a watchful eye on Anthony and Suzanne as they instructed in these courses for the first time.

"The girl in the shell-suit doesn't look very well!"

"Joan Collins was less than happy with her latest plastic surgery!"

First Aid for Divers (FAFD)
This course is a day long and covers basic first aid, with a specific relevance to injuries and illnesses likely to affect divers. The theory reprises that learnt at Sport Diver and then goes into a little more detail. But this is a really 'hands on', practical course and the fun really starts when the trainees get to practice bandaging on each other. As you can see from these photographs everyone is encouraged to 'get stuck in'.

"Trust me I'm a doctor!"

Another important aspect of the course is to get people thinking about improvising using the sort of equipment to be found on the average dive boat. So after the trainees had used the nice clean bandages they got to try the same again using weightbelts, stab-jackets, fins, knife straps (complete with knife in one case), etc.

"More bondage!"

Oxygen Administration
The most effective first aid for all decompression illnesses is 100% oxygen, this course teaches when, why and how it should be used. The club has an emergency oxygen kit and takes it on most trips. Successful completion of this course provides the skill and qualification to safely use the kit.

"Fresh brains tonight Igor!"

Once more the course revises and extends the theory behind decompression sickness taught at Sports Diver level. There is a certain amount of overlap in the two courses but running them back-to-back on adjacent days meant that the overlap could be managed and helped to reinforce the subject. This course is also very practical and there was lots of time to revise CPR and learn to use the oxygen equipment. This is an assessed course with a multiple-choice paper and a practical test as well.

"After getting him tied up there was some debate about what to do next!"

Although the weekend was very intensive, everybody who took part enjoyed themselves and passed the assessed parts.

"The MSA might have something to say about the sea worthiness of the RIB!"

"Suzanne's impression of an outboard engine impressed the locals!"

Castaways is now able to run these two Skill Development Courses (SDCs) completely in house. They are open to Sports Divers or better. If you would like to take part in these courses (or any other BSAC SDC) please contact either Suzanne or Anthony.

"The extras from Casualty try to 'find their motivation'!"

Anthony Peacock

(Photographs courtesy Anthony Peacock)