Scuba diving

Use of Guernsey's hyperbaric chamber has been suspended until further notice as staff from the Emergency Department assist with its operation and cannot be freed up from work related to the current pandemic.

A spokesman for health said: "All commercial divers in the Bailiwick and Jersey have been advised and commercial diving, other than that required in an emergency, has ceased during the lockdown period."

Jersey's own hyperbaric treatment centre closed in 2018.

Quote Message: Scallop diving is not considered essential at this time and any fishing being undertaken by diving should cease immediately." from Committee for Health and Social Care

Scallop diving is not considered essential at this time and any fishing being undertaken by diving should cease immediately."

The spokesman said: "Even with careful planning and restriction of diving depth, it is not possible to exclude completely the occurrence of diving-related illness such as barotrauma, decompression sickness, immersion pulmonary oedema or (near) drowning."

He warned the resources needed to deal with such conditions were scarce at the current time.

The spokesman said recreational diving in the UK has been suspended and it was not considered exercise and should not be taking place during the two hours of exercise islanders are allowed every day.

He added: "Anyone who ignores this advice and decides to dive needs to be aware that they will require full insurance for medical transfers to the UK as well as any Emergency Department and ambulance charges should they need treatment for decompression illness during this time – creating additional pressure on an already overstretched NHS."