Coast Guard medevacs diver near Cape Lookout, NC

June 18, 2018

WILMINGTON — The Coast Guard medevaced a man who was showing signs of decompression sickness approximately 10 miles east of Cape Lookout, North Carolina, Sunday.

A crewmember aboard a 52-foot diving vessel contacted the Sector North Carolina command center via VHF-FM radio channel 16 at 10 a.m. and notified them the diver may have surfaced too quickly and was experiencing shortness of breath.

Sector North Carolina diverted a MH-60 Jayhawk rescue helicopter aircrew from Air Station Elizabeth City that was conducting training nearby.

Once on scene, the aircrew was able to safely hoist the man up and transport him to Norfolk Sentara Leigh Hospital in Norfolk, Virginia.

“Divers experiencing decompression sickness need to receive medical attention as soon as possible,” said Lt. Tiffany Zehnle, command duty officer. “Today, the crew contacted us immediately after they noticed the symptoms, like shortness of breath after the diver surfaced, which really made this a successful case. Some other symptoms to be on the lookout for are numbness, dizziness and pain in joints after surfacing from a dive.”

-USCG-

Share this article

Navigation Center Website Survey Request

We are eager to understand the primary reason for your visit to the Navigation Center website and how you use it, whether for recreational boating, professional purposes, data requests, educational reasons, or otherwise. Your feedback on the website’s ease of use, ability to find information, and if it’s your primary source for navigation-related information is crucial. We are committed to improving your experience and welcome any suggestions to enhance the site’s usability, information accessibility, and overall efficiency. Your insights are invaluable in helping us better meet your navigation needs.

Survey: Navigation Center Website Feedback Survey (surveymonkey.com)

U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center Website Customer Feedback Survey Privacy Notice

Authority: 14 U.S.C. §504; 14 U.S.C §505; and Executive Order 12862.

Purpose: To collect data that will be used to analyze and determine the kind and quality of services customers want and expect, as well as their satisfaction with U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center services. To maintain confidentiality, respondents are advised not to include any personally identifiable information in their responses.

Routine Uses: This survey solicits information that the Coast Guard will use to gauge feedback and improve overall customer service. DHS/ALL/PIA-069 DHS Surveys, Interviews, and Focus Groups provides coverage for this collection.