Diver hit by decompression sickness thanks rescuers

A scuba diver injured in a diving incident off the Dorset coast has thanked his rescuers.

Coastguard and ambulance crews were called to Poole Bay, Dorset, on Sunday afternoon to reports of a man who had suffered a decompression injury.

The diver, Luke White, said he had made a "rapid ascent from depth" and, after being airlifted ashore, spent six hours in a recompression chamber.

He said he wanted to share his experience to help people understand the effects of decompression sickness, which is often referred to as the bends.

Mr White was taken ashore by the Coastguard helicopter and received more than nine hours of oxygen treatment, as well as being treated in the hyperbaric chamber, before being discharged later the same day.

He said: "The incident was a rapid ascent from depth, which subsequently left me with symptoms of decompression illness.

"Although sore and tired, I am well and have received the best treatment and support.

"I am truly grateful and thankful that I dive with the most professional of teams and that we have the best medical support on hand when needed."

Dorset Dive Services said Mr White was one of their experienced divers who had "run into a problem during the ascent".

A statement said: "We can take precautions but, inevitably, sometimes things can go wrong.

"What's really important is recognising a problem and reacting to it quickly without denial or the fear of being judged."

The company praised the boat's skipper, crew and divers on board, saying they responded efficiently and administered oxygen to the injured diver.

Mr White paid special thanks to his fellow divers, the dive company, boat crew and emergency services - including the coastguard and ambulance teams - and staff at the hyperbaric unit in Poole.

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