The coastguard were called to a diver who got into difficulty leaving him requiring treatment at the recompression chamber in Poole.

An urgent call, known as a PAN PAN, came into the emergency services just before 3.15pm on Tuesday from a diving vessel east of Portland Bill, which reported that one of its divers required urgent medical assistance following a rapid ascent.

The Coastguard search and rescue helicopter headed to the scene, where they airlifted the diver to the recompression chamber at Poole to be met by members of the Poole Coastguard Rescue Team.

Mathew McInally, Duty Controller UK Coastguard said: "The dive boat did exactly the right thing in alerting the Coastguard to the situation by broadcasting a PAN PAN message as soon as the diver began showing symptoms of decompression sickness.

"We would urge all divers and dive groups to let someone know where they are planning to dive and when they are planning to return. Also, make sure you familiarise yourself with new or different dive gear before planning deep dives and always dive within your limits."