It doesn’t take long to learn that in the world of diving, expeditions aren’t all created equal. I had the good fortune to be included on some big budget and rather extravagant expeditions early in my career that set the benchmark for many trips to come.
While I have both participated in and organized expeditions of all sizes I became dedicated early on to the premise that the smaller expeditions need to employ the same disciplines embodied in the larger events. In many ways it’s more important to take those disciplines much more seriously.
For example, it’s not unusual for larger expeditions to have evacuation plans generated and filed in case of emergency. Every contingency needs to be taken into account. This is especially true when the trip is operated in remote locations. Large expeditions often have many resources available to them that can smooth out the wrinkles in what may be a less than thorough evacuation plan or they may simply have enough equipment or supplies at their immediate control to handle emergencies that might otherwise become tragic events.
Smaller trips need to insure that evacuation plans are thorough, concise, and able to be implemented at the earliest possible moment. Keep in mind that if you are on a trip with limited personnel the need for everyone to be made aware of their responsibility in regard to the details of the evacuation plan is of the highest priority.
Evacuation may be necessary for many reasons. Diving maladies are only one of them Keep in mind that there are many possible dangers that can be encountered. Know your dive team and know the area you will be working in both undersea and above water.
