Why it matters
Without AI triage, misinterpretation of symptoms, delays in oxygen administration, and incorrect evacuation plans can occur, risking diver safety and increasing insurance exposure.
From design to safety
Design
AI-augmented safety design
AI requirements define data inputs, sensor interfaces, and record structures for symptom checks, dive profiles, and emergency routing decisions during design reviews and site plans. This includes mapping data schemas to EN 12021 air quality tests, oxygen delivery specs, and interface diagrams for the triage console.
- Oxygen cylinder with regulator
- First aid kit
- DAN hotline access point (phone/terminal)
- Neurological assessment form pad
Build
System integration during fit-out
Install data capture points, ensure DAN line and emergency communications are wired to the central triage console, and verify documentation flow from checklists to evacuation plans. Include network topology, failover paths, and encryption standards.
- Oxygen cylinder with regulator
- First aid kit
- DAN hotline access point (phone/terminal)
- Neurological assessment form pad
Operation
Live triage and guidance
AI ingests symptom inputs, dive profile, and monitoring data to assign triage level, recommended actions, and evacuation path, updating the dive roster and incident logs. It also logs O2 kit status, neuro checks, and DAN contact events.
- Oxygen cylinder with regulator
- First aid kit
- DAN hotline access point (phone/terminal)
- Neurological assessment form pad
Maintenance
O2 and records upkeep
Continual validation of O2 outputs, regulator function, and completeness of neuro checks; automatic prompts for service, calibration, and record reconciliation. Asset registry entries update with service dates and lot numbers.
- Oxygen cylinder with regulator
- First aid kit
- DAN hotline access point (phone/terminal)
- Neurological assessment form pad
Safety
Triage safety governance
AI-generated reports feed emergency action plans, staff drills, and standards compliance reviews with O2 readiness, neuro assessment fidelity, and evacuation readiness metrics. Drill results are exported to the incident log and CAPA workflows.
- Oxygen cylinder with regulator
- First aid kit
- DAN hotline access point (phone/terminal)
- Neurological assessment form pad
Part by part
- 1
Oxygen cylinder with regulator
- Watch for
- O2 cylinder pressure drift, regulator chatter, seal wear, micro-leaks
- AI action
- Read pressure and regulator status; trigger alarm and replacement workflow when thresholds breached.
- 2
First aid kit
- Watch for
- expired meds, compromised seal, sterile field contamination
- AI action
- Flag expiry, reorder items, and verify kit contents against standard list.
- 3
DAN hotline access point (phone/terminal)
- Watch for
- line downtime, unanswered calls, misrouting
- AI action
- Route to standby operator and log call, initiate escalation protocol.
- 4
Neurological assessment form pad
- Watch for
- incomplete neuro checks, inconsistent scores
- AI action
- Prompt clinician to perform standardized neurological checks and record results.
- 5
Diver monitoring console (gas levels, dive profile logs)
- Watch for
- data gaps, abnormal ascent rates, gas level anomalies
- AI action
- Flag anomaly, trigger safety review, archive dive data with incident report.
- 6
Evacuation stretcher or emergency transport checklist
- Watch for
- worn straps, damaged boards, inaccessible flotation
- AI action
- Schedule equipment maintenance; confirm readiness before next charter.
Worked example
Catching a delayed onset DCI symptom surge
Illustrative scenario with sample data.
A trainee shows late neuro symptoms after ascent; AI aligns dive profile with nitrox data and coordinates rapid O2 administration.
Signal in
symptom_checklist: fatigue, numbness; dive_profile: depth=26m, bottom_time=48min, ascent_rate=9m/min; o2_kit_pressure=1800 psi; dan_contacted: yes; neuro_checks: pending
System out
triage_level: high, action: immediate 100% O2, DAN escalation, prepare evac plan; record: incident_id 2026-11-08-01
Human sign-off: Diving supervisor reviews and signs off the triage report, authorizes evacuation route, and updates incident log.
How to roll it out
Phase 1
Weeks 1 to 4
Baseline data schema, device pairing, and emergency procedures alignment.
Phase 2
Weeks 5 to 8
Pilot in live dives, calibrate thresholds, train staff, fill risk registers.
Phase 3
Weeks 9 to 12
Full deployment, regular audits, and integration with incident reporting.
Where people stay in charge
- Decisions on patient care level, treatment, and evacuation must be signed off by the Diving Supervisor or Medical Officer.
- Only qualified personnel may override triage recommendations during emergencies, to preserve patient safety and legal compliance.
- All AI-generated triage actions must be auditable and align with the centre's Emergency Action Plan and local regulations.
Questions owners and crews ask
What data does the AI triage use to assess decompression illness risk?
The AI uses symptom checklists, dive profiles, and neuro checks; it also references O2 kit status and DAN contact history to determine urgency and recommended actions, ensuring rapid triage.
Who approves the AI triage recommendation during a dive?
The Diving Supervisor or Medical Officer reviews and signs off on the AI triage decision before initiating evacuation or treatment. Escalation logs must be attached to the incident report.
How are records stored for legal and insurance purposes?
All triage decisions, data inputs, and actions are logged in the incident report system with timestamps and operator IDs for audit and compliance, and kept on encrypted servers.
What training is required for staff using this system?
Staff complete emergency procedures training, AI interface walkthrough, and simulated triage drills to ensure familiarity with cues and escalation paths, with annual refreshers and competency tests.