Page 35 - IB April 24

Recompression Facility Important

to Commercial Divers in PNG

Papua New Guinea’s diver
recompression facility, strategically
located in Port Moresby, has
saved many lives and prevented
numerous long-term disabilities
since it opened in 2004. Although
recreational divers have traditionally
been the most frequently treated, the
last five years have seen an increase
in commercial diver patients. Given
the surge in projects that will require
commercial diving services over
the next decade (e.g., new offshore
LNG pipeline, mining tailings dams
and offshore disposal, marine
surveys, port redevelopments), it is
reasonable to expect that the facility
will continue to increasingly be
required by commercial divers.
The Port Moresby recompression
facility operates to international
standards. Facility Coordinator of
the PNG Dive Association (PNGDA),
John Miller, asserts that the facility’s
treatment protocols are “world
class” and in accord with the Divers
Alert Network (DAN) – a respected Regional Hyperbaric Specialist Consultant, Dr Bobby Wellsh, conducting a neurological assessment on a patient prior to
treatment at the recompression facility in Port Moresby, PNG.
international entity that provides
emergency medical assistance to divers.
Miller says that the recompression facility is just one part of the picture “Our PacTow technicians are all experienced commercial divers
when it comes to diver safety in PNG. “Collectively, the PNGDA, DAN, themselves and they’re Papua New Guineans” explains Miller. “This
and our medivac partner, Tropicair have built a ‘diver safety network’ means they have a heightened understanding of decompression
which rivals similar setups in developed countries.” illness and its seriousness, and they are extremely accessible given that
“When one of the hospitals or dive resorts scattered across the they’re in Port Moresby and on call 24/7. Significantly, we know that
country contacts us with a suspected case of decompression illness, the training we provide to our PNG technicians will stay in country to
we’re able to provide a rapid over-the-phone diagnosis through benefit dive patients for potentially decades as opposed to when we
our Regional Hyperbaric Specialist Consultant, Dr Bobby Wellsh, an train expatriates.” Another member of PacTow’s commercial dive team
emergency and critical care physician as well as a hyperbaric medicine is scheduled to receive training and qualify as a recompression chamber
expert. If necessary, we liaise with Tropicair who through their subsidiary technician in the second half of this year.
Medicair, send one of their specialised planes – sometimes with Dr Although commercial divers employed by reputable companies as well
Wellsh on board – to pick up the patient. The recompression chamber as tourists with the right medical insurance have the means to access the
is located within Tropicair’s facility right at the airport. It’s literally 100m Port Moresby recompression facility, others (such as those engaged in
from where the plane lands to where the chamber is located so we’re the illegal sea cucumber trade) typically do not. Miller reports that some
able to provide the diver with seamless medical care.” of these divers also simply leave it too late to access treatment. This
Operation of the recompression chamber requires a team of medical has been the case with several patients who were engaged in high-risk
professionals and technicians led by Dr Wellsh. Patients present with commercial fishing activities that resulted in significant decompression
various degrees of severity of decompression illness and often require illness.
treatment over several consecutive days. Individual treatments between There are no other recompression facilities operating in Melanesia.
2-5 hours in duration are administered in accord with doctor directions. Without the Port Moresby facility, patients would have to be evacuated
In 2023 the facility increased its capacity with the training of an to either Northern Australia (i.e., Townsville) or Guam (i.e., the two closest
additional doctor, three more nurses, as well as five extra technicians. international facilities). Given that rapid presentation for treatment is
Miller says that some of the best technicians are those from local marine central to successful decompression illness recovery, the Port Moresby
towage and salvage company, Pacific Towing (PacTow), which provides facility is incredibly important to its commercial divers and projects that
numerous specialist services to the country’s growing oil and gas sector. require their services.
To learn more about PacTow: www.pacifictowingmarineservices.com

Sponsored Content Islands Business, April 2024 35