Diving saviours are recognised

When diver Gabor Redl lost consciousness after making a rapid ascent at Leicestershire’s Stoney Cove in mid-August, he was lucky to be hauled out by the three, who had good emergency resuscitation skills.

Rod Reeves, 57, Pete Hodkin, 52 and Dan Hodkin, 27, of Mid Herts Divers in Welwyn Garden City, were on hand to pull the 35-year-old casualty from the water and start treatment before Stoney’s rescue team arrived.

“His face was blue, his lips were blue and he was foaming at the mouth,” said Reeves, an Emergency Care Assistant with the East of England Ambulance Service.

“We rolled him on to his side and listened for his breathing but there was nothing and his jaw was forced shut. When you start to drown, your throat goes into spasm to stop water from going into your lungs.”

The casualty’s airway needed to be opened. Daniel Hodkin removed Redl’s hood and cylinder and, with the casualty laid on his back, Pete Hodkin tilted his head back and cleared his tongue from his throat.

To the divers' relief, there began a “deep, rasping” draw for breath and Redl’s pulse returned.

At this point the Stoney rescue boat arrived with emergency oxygen. With the mask applied, Redl breathed regularly and, before evacuation to Leicester Royal Infirmary by air ambulance, was sat up and talking.

He made a full recovery.

At Mid Herts Divers’ Christmas meal and award ceremony last Saturday, it was announced that Reeves and Pete Hodkin will receive the Royal Humane Society’s Resuscitation Certificate, while Dan Hodkin will receive its Certificate of Commendation.

Redl could not attend but stated: “Rod, Pete and Dan are my heroes. They saved my life.

“All I can say is thank you very much for all of your effort.

“I remember very little about the incident. I can’t even remember your faces but I will always remember your voices and I remember that you made me feel safe.”