In case of a diving emergency, what is a key piece of equipment to have on site?

In the event of a diving emergency, having an oxygen supply on site is crucial. Oxygen can be life-saving in situations such as near-drowning incidents or cases of decompression sickness (the bends). Administering oxygen helps to enhance the body's ability to absorb oxygen and can assist in reducing the symptoms and promoting recovery for injured divers.

Oxygen also plays a vital role in treatment for conditions like hypoxia, where divers may experience insufficient oxygen levels. The prompt availability of oxygen can facilitate immediate care and significantly improve outcomes while waiting for professional medical assistance.

While other equipment, such as a life raft, buoyancy aid, or scuba tank, can be beneficial in various diving situations, they do not address the specific immediate needs that arise in emergency scenarios like decompression sickness or loss of consciousness due to breathing difficulties. Therefore, the presence of an oxygen supply is considered a key component for safety and emergency readiness during diving operations.