18-4 Change AU.S. Navy Diving Manual—Volume 418-2.1.5Treatment of Nonconvulsive Symptoms. The stricken diver should alert his divebuddy and make a controlled ascent to the surface. The victim’s life preservershould be inflated (if necessary) with the dive buddy watching him closely forprogression of symptoms.18-2.1.6Treatment of Underwater Convulsion. The following steps should be taken whentreating a convulsing diver:1.Assume a position behind the convulsing diver. The weight belt should be leftin place to prevent the diver from assuming a face down position on thesurface. Release the victim’s weight belt only if progress to the surface issignificantly impeded.2.Leave the victim’s mouthpiece in his mouth. If it is not in his mouth, do notattempt to replace it; however, if time permits, ensure that the mouthpiece isswitched to the SURFACE position.3.Grasp the victim around his chest above the UBA or between the UBA and hisbody. If difficulty is encountered in gaining control of the victim in thismanner, the rescuer should use the best method possible to obtain control. TheUBA waist or neck strap may be grasped if necessary.4.Make a controlled ascent to the surface, maintaining a slight pressure on thediver’s chest to assist exhalation.5.If additional buoyancy is required, activate the victim’s life jacket. The rescuershould not release his own weight belt or inflate his own life jacket.6.Upon reaching the surface, inflate the victim’s life jacket if not previouslydone.7.Remove the victim’s mouthpiece and switch the valve to SURFACE toprevent the possibility of the rig flooding and weighing down the victim.8.Signal for emergency pickup.9.Once the convulsion has subsided, open the victim’s airway by tilting his headback slightly.10. Ensure the victim is breathing. Mouth-to-mouth breathing may be initiated ifnecessary.11. If an upward excursion occurred during the actual convulsion, transport to thenearest chamber and have the victim evaluated by an individual trained torecognize and treat diving-related illness. 18-2.2Oxygen Deficiency (Hypoxia). Oxygen deficiency, or hypoxia, is the condition inwhich the partial pressure of oxygen is too low to meet the metabolic needs of thebody. Chapter 3 contains an in-depth description of this disorder. In the context of
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