STAGING A DIVER

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 157, 6 July 1936, Page 10

STAGING A DIVER

FOR PARALYSIS.

ALL DAY UNDER AVATER

DARWIN, June 3. Roy Williams, aged about 24, a pearlshell diver, who became paralysed while diving for pearlshell in deep water oil Bathurst Island pearling grounds last week, is undergoing treatment. He spent Saturday and to-dny suspended in diving dress in Darwin Harbour, where he is being “staged” under tho supervision of Dr. W. B. Kirkland.

Williams was working on ono of J. B. Carpenter and Sons’ pearling ketches. He comes from Thursday Island. On Thursday morning Williams became paralysed while on the pearling grounds. His boat brought him into Darwin, tho trip taking two days. When he arrived on Saturday morning, Dr. Kirkland ordered Williams to be “staged” in diving dress in the harbour at varying depths to fifteen fathoms (ninety feet). All day long the lugger from which Williams was suspended was anchored in the channel of the harbour. On Saturday night ho was brought from the water and rested on the lugger, but this morning was again put down. lie is resting on the boat to-night, and will be suspended in the water again tomorrow. A slight improvement in his condition has been observed.

This treatment is the only one available, since Darwin has no decompression chamber in which divers’ paralysis is treated.

All tho pearling ketches operating on tho Bathurst Island grounds are over deep water. Tho divers are descending to depths of 25 fathoms. They arc able to work only a few hours a day. The rest of the daylight is used to “stage” them on the descent and ascent to prevent paralysis.