A Coast Guard Station Sand Key boat crew rescued a diver, Sunday, after she reportedly exhibited symptoms of decompression sickness aboard a commercial diving vessel, 16 miles west of Indian Rocks Beach.
Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg watchstanders were notified, around 3:10 p.m., by dive boat personnel that the 52-year-old female became ill.
The boat crew retrieved the female from the dive boat and transported her to emergency medical services at Station Sand Key.
“Within minutes of notification our boat crew was dispatched to evacuate the distressed diver,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Sawyer Allen, a Coast Guard Station Sand Key boarding officer. “Our highly trained crew was able to transport the diver to EMS in under an hour. Mariners can help themselves by carrying a radio, EPIRB or PLB to communicate distress to Coast Guard watchstanders when an urgent situation arises at sea, helping us find them quickly and safely.”
