[cdavis]

Good rescue technique is pretty hard to describe in words over the web. Video is much better. There are other vids out there, including some that have been posted on DB. Use the search function, it might take a while, but will be worth it.

In general, most BOs occur at or very near the surface. If you are right next to your buddy, as you should be, get his air way above water, get his mask off, blow on his cheeks below the eyes, tap his face(gently), and talk to him. There is lots more to good technique, but he (or she) will come nearly always come around just fine, even if your technique is much less than perfect.

The reason for tap-talk-blow is to get the message to the divers subconscious. In a BO, the conscious mind and the visual nerves are out of commission. Smell, hearing and touch are still working. There are sensors under the eyes, water evaporated by moving air cools those sensors and lets the diver know he is in the air. His system takes it from there. Its pretty amazing to watch it happen, very fast.

Taking a course is far better still. Fair warning, the only BO I've ever been directly involved in happened the first day of the first trip after my PFI course. I'm REALLY glad I took that course.

Connor