MIAMI A man who was diving near Matecubme Key, Fla., Monday, was medically evacuated by the Coast Guard after he resurfaced disoriented.
Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders received notification from the charter vessel New Horizons that a 47-year old male resurfaced disoriented and coughing up blood approximately five miles southeast of Lower Matecubme Key.
The Coast Guard duty flight surgeon was briefed and recommended a medevac. Coast Guard watchstanders issued an urgent marine information broadcast and quickly launched a boatcrew from Coast Guard Station Islamorada.
The boatcrew arrived on scene, embarked the disoriented diver and transferred him ashore where local emergency medical services were waiting. The diver was taken by EMS to Mariner’s Hospital.
“It’s important that divers use caution as diving can be fun but can easily turn dangerous if proper safety is not adhered to,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Christopher Mullen, watchstander at Coast Guard Sector Key West. “There are certain people deemed unfit to dive due to health issues, if you fall within that group, stay out of the water as you are only placing yourself at risk.”
If experiencing a problem underwater the Coast Guard reminds you this: if you’re still breathing, you have some time to deal with the problem. Bolting for the surface is dangerous. As an extra safety measure you should never dive alone. 86% of diving deaths in D7 were alone when they died and perhaps could have been prevented if there was someone nearby who could assist.
