Mailing List Archive

Mailing List: techdiver

Message Display

Jim Adams wanted to know more about the Rapid Field Neuro we give after we
recover a diver.  It was designed and is taught through/by Dive Rescue
International, Inc. of Ft. Collins, CO (USA).

Jim - when I return home I will send a complete version of it to you.  For the
moment let me say that is is really quite simple to do once you have
practiced.  The key is to regularly administer the exam both for you benefit
to increase your speed and comfort and to make the diver feel comfortable that
it part of the protocol just like cleaning gear before stowing it away.

The process starts out with simple q & A "what have you been doing?  What did
you have for (last meal)? Who is the Mayor/President/etc?" These questions are
meant to gain information and relax the diver.  We proceed to a list of items
which I will wait till tonight rather than trust my memory.  They do however
include having the diver touch their noses, with their eyes closed, and lift
one foot then the other as well as checking hearing, eye movement, and tactil
response to touch.  All of these things are checking for any neurological
deficiency which would be brought on by DCS.  CAGE (cerebral arterial gas
embolus) will generally be self evident but could also be detected with the
Neuro Exam.

Hope this helps and I will get the full text to you later.  This process
should be done at least once well prior to a dive, may be some days before, to
establish the diver's baseline responses and to identify any deficiencies they
may have brought with them.  Then it should be administered prior to any dive
as a double check of the baseline and to establish that they are fit to dive
that day.  This would mean two per dive day - one before and one after the
dive(s).

Safe diving.

Coleman Sachs, Sgt.
EMS Coordinator
Boone County (KY) Water Rescue

Navigate by Author: [Previous] [Next] [Author Search Index]
Navigate by Subject: [Previous] [Next] [Subject Search Index]

[Send Reply] [Send Message with New Topic]

[Search Selection] [Mailing List Home] [Home]