[samdive]

Firstly - I need to correct Peter on labelling one of the methods "aida style" - its not "aida style" its my style..... There is no AIDA style precisely because the way you lift someone will depend on a load of factors, how deep you are, how bouyant you both are, bi fins/monofins, relative size of the victim and rescuer, visibility of the water.. (if you drop them are you likely to ever see them again?), surface arrangements and what comes naturally to you to do in an emergency....

I teach people that basically you need to get the person to the top as quick as you can without dropping them, and if at all possible, hold their mouth shut while you do so. If you can also arrive on the surface in a position where you are going to easily be able to keep them afloat, hold their airway open and check for breathing - even better. Thats why I choose to lift from behind. They end up lying back on your shoulder when you hit the surface. It also makes it much easier to rescue with a monofin on (in my opinion)

Yup this is going to turn into a juicy discussion.. and I knew it would the minute I saw the photos on Peters site!!