Is a call for HELP! really helpful?

[WaScubaDude]

Reading some of the posts and threads got me thinking...How many lives are actually saved by on shore emergency response? Please share with us any info you have on rescues that actually made a difference between life and death or serious injury.

In the threads on Solo diving the convention is "let someone on land know when to expect you back" and other threads say "have a buddy, at the very least they can call for help if you need it"

In thinking through this as logically as I can, I think the chance for survival really rests with the diver, or divers in the moment.
Do you have a backup air supply? Can you make a safe accent? Can you administer CPR on water at the surface? Do you have oxegen very near by?

At the very least I see I am ready for rescue class and CPR training. I bought a pony, just need to bring it, and I own an oxegen tank that I need to have filled and bring along on my dives. There is more, I am sure. Can you help fill us in??

[Flatliner]

At least they will know where to look for your body. I can't imagine someone "missing" you would actually result in your rescue, but I would imagine it could result in your recovery.

[caroln]

Originally Posted by Flatliner

At least they will know where to look for your body. I can't imagine someone "missing" you would actually result in your rescue, but I would imagine it could result in your recovery.

There were two divers left by a dive boat off of Antigua recently, and it was their wives missing them back at the dock that lead to the search for them and ultimately their rescue.

[Flatliner]

Not to be argumentitive, but they weren't solo diving. I would hope that a solo diver wouldn't be in a position to be lost at sea.

[Capt Hook]

Originally Posted by Flatliner

Not to be argumentitive, but they weren't solo diving. I would hope that a solo diver wouldn't be in a position to be lost at sea.

No they weren't solo diving, but that has nothing to do with it.
The boat LEFT them behind! How would diving solo have prevented this?
Perhaps I'm missing something.

[caroln]

Part of the original question was whether letting someone on shore know your plans truly had the possibility of saving your life, and a real life example. The case I mentioned is one where this is exactly what happened. It wasn't having a buddy that saved the divers since they were both left, it was having someone on shore who knew they should be coming back.