Diving
Scuba diving exposes you to a risk for unique diving-related illnesses. Also, divers with other medical illnesses can be at increased risk of serious problems while diving.
Preparation
Physicial Fitness
Divers need a reasonable level of physical fitness to ensure they are able to propel themselves through the water, breath compressed gas and withstand the cardiorespiratory changes associated with using underwater breathing gear.
Diving Assessement
Diving companies are required to meet strict safety standards. This means that you will be asked to fill in a medical questionnaire and may require a Dive Medical. These focus on cardiac, respiratory and neuroligical conditions that may put you at risk while scuba diving.
Diving Illness
Dysbarism
Dysbarism describes medical illnesses related to changes in pressure. The volume of a gas varies inversely with pressure. This can affect the following systems:
- Lungs. Rapid ascent can cause the lungs to expand too rapidly leading to serious conditions such as a pneumothorax ("punctured lung") and air embolism (gas in the veins - which can be fatal if it travels to the brain or heart). People with asthma are more susceptible to these complications
- Ears. Failure to equalise the pressure between the middle ear and surrounding structures and lead to increased pressure on the eardrum ("squeeze") or damage to the inner ear causing hearing loss and vertigo.
- Others. Other symptoms related to changes in pressure include headache, tooth pain and sinus pain.
Decompression Sickness
Decompression sickness results from the release of dissolved gas (mainly nitrogen) into the tissues and bloodstream due to the reduction in pressure while ascending.
- Type 1. Muscle, joint and tendon pains. Itch and skin rash.
- Type 2. Back pain, limb weakness or numbness . Visual disturbances, vertigo, nausea and confusion. Cough, chest discomfort and shortness of breath which can be severe, even fatal. Low blood pressure and the formation of clots in the blood vessels.
Treatment of decompression sickess in the field consists of
- Basic Life Support if required
- Administer 100% oxygen, aspirin (if not bleeding) and intravenous fluids.
- Transport to nearest hyperbaric unit for recompression therapy
Prevention
The risk of decompression sickess and dysbarism can be greatly reduced by diver education, ensuring good physical condition prior to diving, strict observation of decompression table limits and early recognition and management of symptoms.
