Automated External Defibrillators on Dive Boats

[Thalassamania]

Are Automated External Defibrillators available on dive boats that you've been on?

[Thalassamania]

I've seen AEDs on the few boats I've dove in the Keys, but they're not in common use in Kona as far as I can tell.

[dsteding]

I have one stored on my boat, on semi-permanent loan from a friend.

I'll probably buy one when he takes this one back.

[AzTek Diver]

The shop I'm associated with owns one, and they put it on the boats they charter in California, but I've not seen one on a boat otherwise. The small group of people I dive with have been discussing buying one for our trips.

[LCF]

I do not remember being briefed that there was an AED on any charter boat I've been on in Puget Sound. I was on a private boat a couple of weeks ago that has one. Most of the charters we've been out on when travelling haven't even had O2 on the boat.

[JS1scuba]

We have been taking them on offshore trips since the late 1990s. At first only when there was an MD or a DMT on board. Now with the new DAN AED certs most anyone can jump start a diver.

We usually bring our own kits.

[fdog]

Oahu: AAA Diving's Elysium

Grand Cayman: the Cayman Aggressor



All the best, James

[kidspot]

On Maui B&B Scuba has one - I've asked 2 other ops in the past and was told "They don't work reliably on a rocking wet boat, so we won't get one." Personally, I think they are a great idea to have around, especially here where the water is fairly calm and we have so many elderly and casual divers visiting. I've seen three boats returning to Lahaina harbor over the past year with heart attack victims - paramedics were waiting, don't know if they had AED's on board or not.

Aloha, Tim

P.S. When I used to work night security we carried one in our patrol vehicle - so easily accessible and easy to use it makes a lot of sense, especially as the prices keep coming down on the portable home units.

[Dive-aholic]

I do not remember being briefed that there was an AED on any charter boat I've been on in Puget Sound. I was on a private boat a couple of weeks ago that has one. Most of the charters we've been out on when travelling haven't even had O2 on the boat.

You need to choose your charters more carefully...


To answer the OP, I haven't seen AEDs on any of the boats I've been on (not that I go on many boats anymore lately). But I'm not sure I really see a need for them, either. Defibrillation is only dictated in a few circumstances and, unless the diver already has an underlying problem, I would guess the more likely rhythms (or lack of) to occur after a dive related incident would probably not be shockable, especially in the colder waters. Have any studies been done regarding his? Gene?

[LCF]

Oh, Rob, I somewhat disagree with you -- "heart attack" is the signed out cause of death in a lot of dive accidents, and heart attack dysrhythmias are often QUITE shockable. If you are talking about the cardiac arrest from a massive AGE, or from drowning, that's a different story. But on the typical charter boat, I'd imagine they have several cardiac events for every true DIVE accident.

I haven't worried about it for myself, because I'm pretty sure I'm not going to have a heart attack, and I also think that, given my diving practices, the risk of severe DCS is low enough that I'm willing to dive off a boat without O2.

But we just bought another Al40, and O2 will shortly be on OUR boat.

[Gene_Hobbs]

Now with the new DAN AED certs most anyone can jump start a diver.

Good program...

and for those of you thinking of buying your own... Check out the DAN AED matching grant.

[Nailer99]

I'm with Lynne. I've been on a lot of the local Puget Sound dive boats, and have yet to see an AED on any of them. Of course, when you need an AED, there's no substitute. But I question how usefull they would really be in most diving accidents- seems like 02 would be much more important.

Oh, Rob, I somewhat disagree with you -- "heart attack" is the signed out cause of death in a lot of dive accidents, and heart attack dysrhythmias are often QUITE shockable. If you are talking about the cardiac arrest from a massive AGE, or from drowning, that's a different story. But on the typical charter boat, I'd imagine they have several cardiac events for every true DIVE accident.

I haven't worried about it for myself, because I'm pretty sure I'm not going to have a heart attack, and I also think that, given my diving practices, the risk of severe DCS is low enough that I'm willing to dive off a boat without O2.

But we just bought another Al40, and O2 will shortly be on OUR boat.

[KMD]

Boats in Monterey don't have AEDs. But they all carry O2.


Lynne, I am really surprised on your feelings on O2. Its such a useful treatement for almost every dive malady that I am surprised you don't insist upon it on any boat you go on.

Our team always packs a bottle of O2 on the smaller RIBs we dive off of.

[Dive-aholic]

Oh, Rob, I somewhat disagree with you -- "heart attack" is the signed out cause of death in a lot of dive accidents, and heart attack dysrhythmias are often QUITE shockable. If you are talking about the cardiac arrest from a massive AGE, or from drowning, that's a different story. But on the typical charter boat, I'd imagine they have several cardiac events for every true DIVE accident.

I haven't worried about it for myself, because I'm pretty sure I'm not going to have a heart attack, and I also think that, given my diving practices, the risk of severe DCS is low enough that I'm willing to dive off a boat without O2.

But we just bought another Al40, and O2 will shortly be on OUR boat.

Lynne, I'm mainly looking at cardiac arrest from AGE or drowning. I realize "heart attacks" do occur, but they are not necessarily diving related. They were just waiting to happen and the time came on a dive boat. To me, though, it seems too many people think an AED would be useful for diving related accidents. Thus my post. I'd rather see properly maintained O2 units on boats rather than an AED that may be pulled out but will rarely be necessary.

[AzTek Diver]

I'd rather see properly maintained O2 units on boats rather than an AED that may be pulled out but will rarely be necessary.

Every dive boat should have a good supply of O2, and the means to supply it in all situations, but on comerical boats I don't see why it's an either/or, they should have both. JMO