UNDERWATER
PROBLEM MANAGEMENT
Possible
surface problems include overexertion,
leg muscle cramps and choking on inhaled
water. You've already learned about
handling overexertion and as you recall,
if you choke on water, you hold your
regulator or snorkel in place and cough
through it keep it in you mouth, and
keep your mask on. Swallowing sometimes
helps relieve choking, too. Be sure
you have sufficient buoyancy, because
coughing lowers your lung volume, decreasing
your tendency to float.
If
you have a problem at the surface, immediately
establish buoyancy by either inflating
your BCD or dropping your weights. Let
your equipment do the work - having
to swim, tread water or otherwise having
to fight to stay above water exhausts
you quickly. Don't hesitate to discard
your weights if You can't stay up with
your BCD; weights are easily replaced.
Stop,
think, then act. Need help? Ask! Whistle,
wave and yell. It's the smart, safe
to do. Get help when You need it, before
a small problem becomes a big one, and
you make it easier on yourself and other
divers. Dive masters will tell you it's
not the people who ask for assistance
who give them gray hair - it's those
who need it and don't ask.
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