CALL FOR HELP
Step-by-step emergency calling procedures for diving accidents and marine emergencies. Follow these protocols to ensure rapid response and proper coordination.
1
ASSESS THE SITUATION
Quickly evaluate the emergency. Is this a life-threatening situation requiring immediate medical attention?
Life-Threatening Signs:
• Unconsciousness or altered mental state
• Difficulty breathing or not breathing
• Severe bleeding or trauma
• Signs of decompression sickness
• Cardiac arrest or chest pain
• Unconsciousness or altered mental state
• Difficulty breathing or not breathing
• Severe bleeding or trauma
• Signs of decompression sickness
• Cardiac arrest or chest pain
⚠️ CRITICAL
For life-threatening emergencies, stabilize the victim and begin emergency procedures while someone else makes the calls.
2
CALL LOCAL EMERGENCY SERVICES
ALWAYS CALL LOCAL EMS FIRST - This is your primary emergency response.
What to Say:
• "This is a diving emergency"
• Your exact location (address/GPS coordinates)
• Nature of the injury/emergency
• Number of people involved
• Current condition of victim(s)
• Any treatments already given
• "This is a diving emergency"
• Your exact location (address/GPS coordinates)
• Nature of the injury/emergency
• Number of people involved
• Current condition of victim(s)
• Any treatments already given
📞 STAY ON THE LINE
Keep EMS dispatcher on the phone. They can provide medical instructions while responders are en route.
3
CONTACT COAST GUARD (IF AT SEA)
If you're on a boat or in marine waters, contact the U.S. Coast Guard immediately after calling local EMS.
Contact Methods:
• VHF Radio Channel 16 (primary)
• DSC Emergency Button (if equipped)
• Phone: Call *CG or local Coast Guard station
• EPIRB activation for severe emergencies
• VHF Radio Channel 16 (primary)
• DSC Emergency Button (if equipped)
• Phone: Call *CG or local Coast Guard station
• EPIRB activation for severe emergencies
📡 VHF PRIORITY
Use VHF radio over cell phone - other boats can assist, and Coast Guard monitors 24/7.
4
CALL DIVING EMERGENCY HOTLINE
Contact diving medical specialists for expert consultation and treatment coordination.
When to Call:
• After calling EMS and Coast Guard
• For diving-related injuries or illness
• Need for hyperbaric treatment coordination
• Medical evacuation assistance
• Expert diving medical consultation
• After calling EMS and Coast Guard
• For diving-related injuries or illness
• Need for hyperbaric treatment coordination
• Medical evacuation assistance
• Expert diving medical consultation
🏥 MEDICAL COORDINATION
Diving medical specialists can coordinate with local hospitals and arrange specialized treatment.
Local Emergency Medical Services
911
CALL FIRST - Primary emergency response. Available 24/7 in US.
U.S. Coast Guard
VHF Channel 16
Marine emergencies - 156.8 MHz. Monitored 24/7 for distress calls.
Diving Emergency Hotline
+1-919-684-9111
24/7 diving medical specialists. Accepts collect calls worldwide.
VHF MARINE RADIO CHANNELS
Essential channels for marine emergency communications
Channel 16
156.8 MHz
DISTRESS & EMERGENCY
Channel 22A
157.1 MHz
Coast Guard Working
Channel 9
156.45 MHz
Recreational Calling
Channel 70
156.525 MHz
Digital Selective Calling (DSC)
MAYDAY RADIO CALL FORMAT
Use this exact format for life-threatening marine emergencies
"MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY"
"This is [VESSEL NAME - say 3 times]"
"MAYDAY [vessel name]"
"My position is [GPS coordinates + description]"
"Nature of emergency: [fire/sinking/medical/etc.]"
"Number of persons on board: [X]"
"Immediate assistance required"
"Over"
📻 RADIO PROTOCOL
Speak clearly and slowly. Stay on Channel 16. Repeat if no response. Never use MAYDAY for non-life-threatening situations.
CRITICAL INFORMATION TO PROVIDE
📍 LOCATION
- GPS coordinates (lat/long)
- Distance/bearing from landmarks
- Address (if on land)
- Dive site name
🏥 MEDICAL INFO
- Victim's consciousness level
- Breathing status
- Visible injuries
- Time of incident
🤿 DIVE DETAILS
- Maximum depth
- Bottom time
- Gas mixture used
- Decompression stops