Coast Guard and NOAA conduct diver emergency training

As part of the semi-annual rescue drill and dive skills refresher, divers from the Southeast Fisheries Science Center, and the Atlantic Ocean Meteorological Laboratory in Miami, FL participated in a joint exercise with the US Coast Guard on 27 October, 2011. The joint NOAA / USCG exercise served as invaluable training on the procedures for moving an unconscious diver if a USCG helicopter Medical Evacuation should become necessary. Boat operator LTJG Aaron Maggied worked with USCG External Affairs and Aviators to coordinate the simulated removal of an unconscious LTJG Lindsay Morrison. Miami-area divers logged over 1,000 Dives in 2010, and the potential for a serious dive accident is present. The knowledge gained through this exercise will improve the safety and efficiency of the rescue operation, should a real emergency call for the evacuation of a critical victim. The NOAA divers from the SEFSC and AOML thank the USCG Air Station Miami and the crew of H-65 6606, namely LCDR Matt Walker (USCG), LTJG Leslie Brown (USCG), and AS3 Nick Trimpe for their participation in this training evolution.

All Photos: U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jon-Paul Rios.

BISCAYNE BAY, Fla. - Petty Officer 3rd Class Nick Trimpe, aviation survival technician at Coast Guard Air Station Opa Locka, teaches members of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Miami how to use equipment during a injured diver simulation Oct. 27, 2011. This year, there have been more 10 diver deaths and this training was to help NOAA members prepare themselves for a real situation. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jon-Paul Rios.

BISCAYNE BAY, Fla. – Members of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Miami stabilize and give oxygen to another member of NOAA during an injured diver simulation conducted with the Coast Guard Oct. 27, 2011. With the recent influx of diving incidents in Florida, the Coast Guard and NOAA came up with the training to help better prepare them in case of a real emergency. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jon-Paul Rios.

BISCAYNE BAY, Fla. – Members of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration prepare to help Petty Officer 3rd Class Nick Trimpe, an aviation survival technician, aboard their vessel where they were simulating an injured diver case Oct. 27, 2011. Trimpe taught the NOAA crew the importance and how to use different types of rescue equipment, preparing them for a real scenario. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jon-Paul Rios.

BISCAYNE BAY, Fla. – National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Lt. j.g. Aaron Maggied handles the line connecting stokes litter to a MH-65 Dolphin helicopter during an injured diver simulation Oct. 27, 2011. There have been more than 60 diver incidents in Florida in 2011 and in 2010 there were only 44. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jon-Paul Rios.