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As you have learned in the preceding chapters, diving problems can be classified as either minor incidents or emergencies. This section describes how to help a buddy overcome minor problems. The situations described here are rare and should be prevented before they ever occur. However, you need to know what to do in case they ever do occur. Most diving problems occur at the surface rather than under water (figure 7-6). If your buddy is in distress at the surface, there are three actions you must take to assist your buddy: 1. Help your buddy establish buoyancy. 2. Get your buddy to relax, breathe deeply, and rest. 3. Provide assistance as needed. Give your buddy assurance and encouragement, and if possible, help your buddy recover and overcome the difficulty without your direct interference. Establish positive buoyancy for yourself and remember to control your own level of exertion. Your main task is to remain close to your buddy and give optimistic encouragement and advice. Establishing Buoyancy You can help your buddy establish buoyancy in several ways. If you instruct your buddy to inflate their buoyancy compensator (BC) or drop their weight belt and they respond appropriately, this is the best way to help them establish buoyancy and personal control. If they do not respond to your instructions, you can extend a surface float to them for them to hang onto (figure 7-7). It might be necessary to help them inflate their BC or drop their weights. Resting and Breathing Once your buddy has flotation, you must get your buddy to rest and breathe deeply. Make sure they also remember to exhale completely. Have your buddy discard any items they are carrying in their hands or have them give the items to you. Then you can discard the items if necessary. Providing Assistance Try to get your buddy to solve their own problem. If this is not possible, or your directions are not followed, you will have to provide direct assistance. The best assist NAUI Scuba Diver 166 Problem Solving FIGURE 7-6. A DIVER IN DISTRESS AT THE SURFACE USUALLY HAS THEIR MASK DISCARDED AND THEY WAVE THEIR ARMS OR FLAIL IN THE WATER. FIGURE 7-7. A FLOAT IS A GOOD WAY TO PROVIDE BUOYANCY FOR A BUDDY IN DISTRESS.


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