In the last five years, the role of diving within yachting has been changing.
Previously, recreational diving was mostly organised by local dive companies. As diving has become a bigger onboard priority, superyachts increasingly manage their own activities with a dedicated divemaster.
Diving is also taking place in more remote locations, where hyperbaric chambers may not be readily accessible (within 24 hours).
Given this, superyachts conducting their own diving need to plan in more detail and prepare for worst-case scenarios.
Decompression sickness, or “the bends,” often occurs when a diver ascends too quickly from depth. During ascent, gas bubbles can form in the body due to pressure changes.
Identifying signs and symptoms of DCS and ensuring crewmembers contact MedAire as soon as possible is an important part of any diving-related training.
Key contributing factors include:
About 80% of what you can see underwater is within the first 20 m, reinforcing the value of conservative profiles.
Promptly recognising risk factors and administering oxygen before symptoms appear can help prevent severe DCS. By the time symptoms manifest, bubbles may already have formed, reducing oxygen’s effectiveness. Awareness and prevention are crucial.
Always ensure an adequate oxygen supply at the dive site.
Using a demand valve is the most efficient way to deliver oxygen, as it supplies oxygen only during inspiration, avoiding waste during exhalation. This is provided in our Global Oxygen Kit.
Calculating oxygen duration: Volume (L) × Pressure (bar) ÷ Flow rate (L/min) = total minutes.
For vessels diving frequently, MedAire recommends an onboard oxygen concentrator for an effectively unlimited supply.
If you are concerned about someone after a dive, contact MedAire immediately; specialist dive doctors are available to consult. If the patient shows neurological signs, specialist care may be required, including a hyperbaric chamber.
For minor signs and symptoms, oxygen is typically recommended for an extended period, with hourly air breaks to reduce oxygen toxicity and to provide fluids. Discontinue if no further signs of illness.
You can also use MedAire’s DCS quick card to guide patient assessment.
MedAire helps clients make this decision and provides new build consultancy on medical room and hyperbaric chamber suitability onboard superyachts.
Considerations include:
From prevention through to case management, MedAire provides expertise for diving operations:
Our team understands diving-specific constraints, from evacuation by plane (often limited to flying below ~1,000 ft, affecting routing around terrain) to crew training levels and onboard equipment. We can be trusted to support your diving operations.