The CMPQ Medical Director and the Coordinator took part of the diving Jamboree which was held at Percé, Quebec from the 12th to the 15th August 2010.  More than 500 dives were completed during the event.  This was the most important event of its kind in Canada. The CMPQ wanted to participate at this event in order to meet the divers and to make them aware of the services offer by them. Dr. Buteau has also made a presentation on "What the divers dying from?" This presentation raised many questions and thoughts amongst divers. They also took the opportunity to make a presentation of the hyperbaric stretcher that they would like to implement in that region for the safety of divers has it was the case at Les Escoumins in 2008. The presentation was made to several doctors at the Chandler hospital and also to the local MP Mr. George Mamelonet.  Mr. Mamelonet being himself a diver immediately understood the necessity for such a device to help divers. The Gaspésie region is a place often visited by the underwater community of Quebec and even across the world. We believe that a total of 3,000 divers per year visit this region. However, in the event of a diving emergency, the Gaspésie region presents a problem which must be taken into consideration, the speed of the intervention, the quicker the diver is treated, the better his chances to live a life without major sequelae. In decompression sickness, the minutes count, the speed at which the intervention occurs could have major consequences for the diver. It is essential to intervene within the hour of the decompression sickness.

Obtaining this hyperbaric stretcher would allow us to treat the injured diver very rapidly and also transport him to the nearest hyperbaric center, by air or by land, and this, while maintaining the diver under pressure without worrying about the altitude having a negative effect on his condition with a guarantee support of the CMPQ 24/7 365 days a year. Acquiring this hyperbaric stretcher would put the province of Quebec at the forefront of diving safety. 

On picture: Jocelyn Boisvert Coordinator and Dr Dominique Buteau Medical director.