Diver hospitalized following incident off Marblehead

MARBLEHEAD – A professional diver with a possible case of decompression sickness is expected to recover after being med-flighted to Massachusetts General Hospital Saturday afternoon from Cat Island, police and fire officials said.According to Fire Chief Jason Gilliland, Alexander Dulavitz, 31, of Boston, was brought to shore Saturday around 12:15 p.m. Although Dulavitz was not severely injured, he appeared to be possibly suffering from decompression sickness, also known as “the bends,” which sets in when a diver rises to the surface too quickly.?He didn?t have physical injuries, like broken bones nor cuts, but he had signs and symptoms indicative of ?the bends?,” Gilliland said Sunday afternoon. “He was conscious and stable when med-flight arrived.”Gilliland said Dulavitz is expected to recover. He said the diver is most likely a professional.?He did everything right, but came up from the water too quickly,” Gilliland said. “It doesn?t happen often, but it has happened before here in Marblehead. It appears that he hadn?t just scuba dived one weekend. He had definitely done it before.”Gilliland said Dulavitz was in 180 feet of water when everything was going well. However, when Dulavitz came up from the water, he wasn?t feeling well and asked for help with three to four other divers nearby. A boat brought Dulavitz to shore before first responders arrived. Gilliland said the incident occurred six miles off the Marblehead coast.Police said in a statement along with the assistance of the Marblehead Harbormaster, Marblehead Fire Department, and Atlantic Ambulance the diver was transported to State Street Landing, where it was determined to have him airlifted to Massachusetts General Hospital via Boston Medflight.