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Swanage all-weather lifeboat launches to assist with airlift of a diver

Lifeboats News Release

Just before 1pm the Swanage all-weather lifeboat was called to assist a diver in Swanage Bay who was reported to be suffering from decompression sickness.

Helicopter passing over Swanage all-weather lifeboat as it approaches a dive vessel to evacuate the casualty

Martin Whitfield

Helicopter passing over Swanage all-weather lifeboat as it approaches a dive vessel to evacuate the casualty
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The diver had finished their dive and on surfacing was experiencing some symptoms of decompression sickness. The diver had been recovered to the dive vessel and was receiving oxygen waiting for evacuation.

The lifeboat launched and was soon alongside the dive vessel. Two volunteer crew members were transferred to the dive vessel to asses the casualty and assist with the evacuation. Soon after the crew completed their assessment the Coastguard helicopter Rescue 175 arrived on scene and deployed a winchman to the dive vessel. After the winchman checked over the casualty an evacuation plan was formulated and the casualty was swiftly lifted and transferred by helicopter to the decompression unit at Poole.

With the casualty transferred the crew were free to return to the station just under one hour after launching.

RNLI volunteer media contact

For more information please telephone Becky Mack, Swanage RNLI Volunteer Press Officer on 07812 558487 or at [email protected]

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.

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For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter 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.

About the author

Becky Mack
Lifeboat Press Officer, Swanage Lifeboat Station

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