Camperdown acting senior sergeant Dean Greenwood said the man's diving partner, a 58-year-old Warrnambool local, had noticed his companion struggling and had pushed him up onto a rock ledge.

The diver was then entrapped in Kelp and began panicking, taking in water.

A third male, a 64-year-old Warrnambool local, remained on the beach and called for assistance.

The struggling diver was then taken by PolAir to South West Healthcare, where he remains under observation.

"Two males aged 37 and 58 were diving at Childers cove, Mepunga when his companion noticed he was struggling and pushed him up onto the rock ledge," acting senior sergeant Greenwood said.

"His buoyancy vest wasn't inflated so the other male has assisted him in inflating his vest. The male who was struggling and was now up on the rock became wrapped in kelp.

"He began to panic, swallowing some water. Police have arrived with AV, CFA and SES. PolAir were notified and successfully winched the male who was on the rocks up on the ledge and taken to Warrnambool hospital for observation."

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