A diver suffering from the bends could have died if the cash-strapped Isle of Man hyperbaric chamber had closed earlier this year, warned hyperbaricist David Downie.
The chamber faced closure in June after the Health and Social Security Minister said the government could not fund an extra £30,000 needed annually by the facility.
The chamber was saved in the short term by a donation from leisure and property tycoon Trevor Hemmings. It has received £18,000 in donations since June, but still needs £12,000 this year. It receives £90,000 annually from the Department of Health and Social Security.
The local diver completed several dives over a weekend this month, then developed a bend overnight. By the time he went to hospital last Monday morning, the weather had deteriorated and a Force seven gale was blowing - it would not have been possible to send a helicopter to transport him to a hyperbaric chamber in Northern Ireland or England.
David Downie said: 'Had we not been here he would've been seriously compromised. He had a bend in his head and neck and it was very serious indeed. He was heading for significant problems, if not death.'
Around 12 divers a year are treated at the Isle of Man Hyperbaric Facility, and many more phone the 24 hour helpline and are seen with suspected cases of DCI. For more information see the website www.hboman.com
