The USC Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber is offering its annual Emergency Response Diver course October 17-22, 2010.

The Emergency Response Diver program focuses on practical field experience - what can and should be done at the scene of a diving casualty.

You will learn:
* The best way to handle a victim in the water.
* How to administer effective CPR and first aid.
* The techniques to use for beach and boat rescues.
* How to make the best use of emergency oxygen.
* How to efficiently manage the diving accident scene.
* Specific methods for aiding victims of hypothermia,near-drowning, and other diving medical maladies.

Practice, Practice, Practice.

The Emergency Response Diver course is and intensive field-orientated emergency response. You'll spend most of your time at, near, or in the water practicing rescues; or in small groups mastering first aid, CPR, and emergency oxygen use. You'll learn how to direct people at a diving casualty scene, how to communicate effectively with rescue and emergency medical personnel, and how to coordinate transportation. You will apply what you learn in practical and realistic field simulations.

Continuing Education

Certifications for First Aid, CPR, AED, Oxygen Administration, and Rescue Diver are included with the course.

24 CEUs are available for DMTs

Accommodations

Accommodations and meals are included in the ERD tuition. ERD participants will be housed in the Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies dorm rooms and apartments. Meals are served in the Institute's cafeteria.

Tuition

The $675 fee for ERD covers tuition, room and board (Sunday pm - Friday noon). The course is restricted to 16 students. A $100 deposit is required to reserve a spot in the class. Refunds must be requested in writing. No refunds are issued after one month prior to the start of the class!

The registration form for the ERD class can be found at: http://college.usc.edu/hyperbaric/educational/registration_erd.cfm

Note: For those participants who want to participate in the optional scuba dives, a recent AAUS equivalent diving medical, signed by a physician, and dive logs for the past year are required in advance OR if you are a member a scientific diving program, public safety dive team, or military dive team (AAUS or OSHA recognized), a letter of reciprocity from your Diving Safety Officer will suffice.

Staff

Gordon Boivin: Senior Rescue Swimmer Instructor - Canadian Coast Guard (retired)
Karl E. Huggins: Program Manager - USC Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber

• Emergency Response Diver Web Page