Coast Guard Medevacs Diver 120 Miles off Texas Coast

A 33-year-old female diver was medevaced Thursday evening after she experienced decompression issues following her fourth dive, approximately 120 miles off Galveston.

The doctor aboard the 96-foot passenger vessel Fling called Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston watchstanders at 7:50 p.m., to report the divers condition and ask for assistance.

The watchstanders launched an aircrew aboard an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Air Station Houston. An HU-25 Falcon, from Air Station Corpus Christi was diverted to the scene to provide oversight of the response effort.

The aircrew transferred the diver, in stable condition, to Memorial Hermann Hospital.

"Diving incidents can be extremely serious, especially when you are a seven-hour boat ride from a medical facility," said Lt. Matthew J. Walter, command duty officer for Sector Houston-Galveston. "Luckily, the Coast Guard has the best trained pilots to speed mariners and recreational boaters to assistance during these incidents. Establishing a communications plan prior to a day of boating offshore, and testing it frequently, is a key component to receiving assistance in time of need."

uscgnews.com