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Boat: All Weather Lifeboat
Crew: Mark Pollard (Coxswain), David Proud, Alan Rowe, John Lower, Oliver Lewis, Toni Partridge, Claire Angove, Mark Rickard
Location: Porthoustock
Shout Date: 30/08/2009 - 15:04
Weather:W 4, Slight Sea & Swell, Poor Visibility, Overcast with Fog

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Falmouth All Weather Lifeboat had just arrived at Portscatho for the annual lifeboat service when at 15:02 Falmouth Coastguard requested that the All Weather Lifeboat proceed to Porthoustock where they had received a report of a diver requiring medical assistance. The Inshore Lifeboat, which was at Durgan Regatta, was already proceeding along with the Porthoustock Coastguard Mobile and Ambulance Paramedics.

The All Weather Lifeboat left Portscatho at 15:04 and arrived off Porthoustock at 15:88. Two lifeboat crew had already been put ashore by the Inshore Lifeboat with first aid and oxygen kits to assess the casualties condition. Additional equipment was transferred ashore from the All Weather Lifeboat in case it was required. The casualty was put on oxygen and details of her dive profile and condition were passed via the Coastguard to the Diving Diseases Research Centre (DDRC) at Derriford in Plymouth.

As the casualty was stable and had only been on a short shallow dive it was decided that she should be checked over by the Paramedics before a decision was made whether to transport her to Plymouth. The Paramedic Response vehicle arrived at 15:25 followed by the Ambulance at 15:35 and having talked to DDRC it was decided that the casualty could be monitored locally and did not need hospitalisation. In view of this the All Weather Lifeboat was released at 15:41 to return to its event at Portscatho while the Inshore Lifeboat remained on scene until they were released at 16:16.

The All Weather Lifeboat was back at Portscatho by 16:00 where the crew were able to go ashore to join the lifeboat service.

The casualty had been diving at 6m for only 5 minutes when she had developed difficulties and had been escorted to the surface by her buddy. Once on the boat she had fainted so the Coastguard was contacted and she was landed ashore at Porthoustock. Due to fog and low cloud the helicopter from RNAS Culdrose was not available so consideration had been given to moving her by Lifeboat if required.