Unconscious diver in need of assistance in the Sound of Mull.

On arrival at the casualty the diver was transferred to the Tobermory lifeboat where the casualty was assessed and first aid administered. With the coastguard helicopter on route, the Tobermory lifeboat continued to make its way to Oban.

As the coastguard helicopter arrived overhead, the paramedic was lowered onto the stern deck of the lifeboat. At this point the coastguard paramedic took over the care of the casualty with the assistance of the volunteer lifeboat crew.

After further assessment, it was decided to transfer the casualty to the helicopter, for onward transit to hospital. At which point the Tobermory Lifeboat continued into Oban Bay and transferred the casualties dive buddy onto the pontoons at Oban. Where he was met by the local coastguard volunteers who would transport him to the hospital.

Tobermory Lifeboat mechanic Paul ‘Gunny’ Gunn highlighted “this is where continual training comes to the fore. This was the first shout of the year, the volunteer crew deployed quickly and safely. Immediately preparing the required equipment and allocating responsibilities. So, that on arrival at the casualty vessel, they were ready to provide the assistance needed, in the very professional manner expected from volunteer lifeboat crews.

Crew: Coxswain David McHaffie, Mechanic Paul ‘Gunny’ Gunn, Tony Spillane, Mhairi McAdam, Dave Underwood, Mick Stirling.

RNLI media contacts:

Michael Stirling, Tobermory Lifeboat Press Officer on 07921 515686, [email protected] or [email protected] boat Press Officer on 07921 515686, [email protected] or [email protected]

Richard Smith, Public Relations Manager Scotland on 01738 642956, 07786 668903 or [email protected]

Or Henry Weaver, RNLI Press Officer for Scotland, 01738 642946, 07771 943026, [email protected]

Or contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789.

RNLI onlineFor more information on the RNLI please visit www.rnli.org.uk. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI Press Centre www.rnli.org.uk/pressKey facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates over 230 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and has more than 100 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 137,000 lives. The RNLI is a charity registered in England, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland.

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.