What should be prioritized if a diver is pulseless and not breathing?

When a diver is pulseless and not breathing, the priority should be on establishing the ABCs, which stands for Airway, Breathing, and Circulation. This is a fundamental aspect of basic life support and immediate care for any patient who is unresponsive or in a critical state.

In this scenario, the first step is to ensure that the airway is clear and that any obstruction preventing breathing is addressed. This is crucial because a compromised airway can significantly worsen the diver’s condition. Following that, if the diver is not breathing, artificial ventilation needs to be provided immediately. Finally, assessing circulation involves checking for a pulse and, if absent, initiating cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

While defibrillation is essential in cases of cardiac arrest due to arrhythmias, it is only effective if the heart's electrical activity is present and can be restored. Recompression treatment would not be an immediate action as it is designated for treating decompression sickness and is not a response to the immediate life-threatening situation of being pulseless and not breathing. Similarly, assessment of injuries can take place after the basic life-saving interventions have been initiated, but it should not take precedence over restoring basic life functions.

Establishing the ABC