CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Coast Guard crews medically evacuated an injured diver after an offshore incident Sunday.
Crewmembers aboard the dive boat Orion contacted Coast Guard watchstanders at 3 p.m., requesting medical assistance. A 60-year-old man was involved in a diving incident 32 miles off Port Aransas and was in need of additional care. Medical personnel aboard the Orion administered CPR and provided oxygen when he became responsive.
A Coast Guard Station Port Aransas boat crew launched their 45-foot Response Boat – Medium. The crew arrived on scene just after 4 p.m. to pick up the injured man. Another man aboard the Orion was experiencing knee pains and was transferred to the Coast Guard boat.
An MH-65C Dolphin rescue helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Corpus Christi arrived on scene around 4:30 p.m. and the crew hoisted the 60-year-old up to the helicopter. He remained responsive on his trip to CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi-Shoreline, the closest hospital with a hyperbaric chamber.
The man with knee pains was transferred to awaiting emergency medical services upon return to Station Port Aransas.
“The Orion was far offshore and the Captain performed the correct actions by administering first aid and transiting towards the coast, which quickened our response time,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Allen Cantu, a Coast Guard Sector Corpus Christi search and rescue coordinator. “I hope the man gets well and has a full recovery.”
