This is an extract from the Underwater Channel and shows Mark Evans (Editor Sport Diver Magazine, UK) and Monty Hall (Diver, Marine Biologist and TV Personality) talking about the RescuEAN Pod.
The RescuEAN Pod is a life-saving aid for the diver finding themselves in a situation where an O2 kit is unavailable, already being used or exhausted. It has been designed for use with a dive accident patient whether conscious, semi-conscious or unconscious.
The RescuEAN POD was designed as an emergency alternative for providing gas mixtures with an increased fraction of inspired Oxygen (FiO2) to injured divers who will benefit from increased Oxygen partial pressures during resuscitation, stabilisation and evacuation to an appropriate medical facility or while waiting for the evacuation to occur. Due to the physiological effects of emergency Oxygen administration, the highest possible FiO2 should be achieved. Although the POD can be used with any nitrox gas mix, we advocate that you use the highest possible 'decompression' mix available, or 100% Oxygen from a closed circuit rebreather (CCR) before using standard nitrox diving mixes.
• Try to use Nitrox mixes of at least 50% Oxygen or 100% Oxygen from rebreathers (CCR's);
• Using standard Nitrox mixes thereafter.
The POD can be effective during club/branch diving activities or by professional divers or diving instructors who have a 'Duty of Care' to provide emergency Oxygen equipment as part of these organised activities - if in the UK, as stated in the HSE Diving at Work Regulations 1997 and associated Approved Codes of Practises (ACoPs).
Branches/Clubs/Professional Divers and Instructors should use the POD when:
• Additional Casualties present with sign and symptoms of Evolved Gas Disease (DCI) and Oxygen Administration equipment is being used to treat a more seriously injured diver;
• The current supply of Oxygen has been exhausted and evacuation is still under-way;
• There has been an equipment failure in the Oxygen supply equipment.
It can also be used by individual divers who do not have immediate access to an emergency Oxygen supply and are awaiting the arrival of the Emergency Medical Services.
Individual Divers should use the POD when:
• There is a rapid onset of Evolved Gas Disease (DCI) signs and symptoms;
• Professional help has been called;
• You are awaiting the arrival of the Emergency Services and no other emergency Oxygen supply is available.
The pod is easily recognisable, light and compact enough to carry at all times and is simple to use as it connects directly to the rescue diver's Nitrox cylinder low pressure hoses. The pod allows the O2 enriched mix to be given to a casualty at a constant, controlled flow of either 15 or 25 litres per minute - via an mask appropriate for the emergency. It is constructed of 316 Marine Grade Stainless Steel, plastic and rubber -- making the Pod robust and corrosion resistant. There are NO luibricants used within the Pod.
The training manuals 'diver certifying' associations state, "If you run out of oxygen, but have enriched air Nitrox available, you can give that to a responsive patient via the scuba regulator". But a rescue diver could be in a situation where:
• The patient may be unconscious or just semi-conscious and breathing shallowly.
• The dive location may be remote and, as sport divers, they may not have a full 100% O2 kit readily accessible.
• The patient may be on a private rib or boat where a full 100% O2 kit is also not available.
• Emergency Services may take longer to reach the casualty than any available O2 will last -- i.e. on a long boat/RIB journey back to shore or in a cave system.
Technical & CCR system divers with their high Oxygen content cylinders find the Pod an effective backup system.
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RescuEAN Scenario & Setup DEMOby RescuEANDiver362 views
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