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Diving accidents can occur due to various factors including improper entry into water and physiological effects of pressure changes. Decompression sickness (DCS), also known as 'the bends', can result from inadequate decompression and may lead to serious symptoms that require immediate medical attention. Preventative measures include careful planning, avoiding alcohol, and adhering to safety protocols during dives.

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14 views5 pages

Brochure

Diving accidents can occur due to various factors including improper entry into water and physiological effects of pressure changes. Decompression sickness (DCS), also known as 'the bends', can result from inadequate decompression and may lead to serious symptoms that require immediate medical attention. Preventative measures include careful planning, avoiding alcohol, and adhering to safety protocols during dives.

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LG
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Science 10 - Module 12

Transfer - Gear Up
Page 317
No. 2

Possible accidents in
Diving
Diving accidents can occur with any form of diving whilst entering the water. They can also be
associated with snorkel diving, SCUBA diving, or deep sea diving.

Physiology
The act of diving can affect normal body structure
and function. Ambient pressure increases by 1
atmosphere (1 bar or 100 kPa) for every 10 metres
descent in sea water.

○ Gas volumes change inversely with


pressure - this means that on descent gas in body
cavities undergoes compression, whilst on ascent it
expands. Tissue damage can result.
○ The partial pressure of gases
increases proportionally as ambient pressure
increases. This means that inert gases such as
nitrogen can dissolve in tissues at depth and come
out of solution when the diver ascends.
○ Because the density of inhaled gas
increases as pressure increases, breathing can be restricted. Lung volume is also
reduced because of displacement of blood from the periphery to the thorax.
2

Accidents when entering the water


● Accidents may occur due to hyperextension of the spine, especially the neck.
● If it is necessary to enter the water from a great height (e.g. abandoning a sinking ship),
it is much safer to enter the water feet first than head first. When people take their own
life by jumping from a very high bridge, it is often the force of the impact with the water
that is fatal.
● However, many accidents related to entering the water also occur when diving into
shallow water.
● Nocturnal swimming (particularly when associated with the consumption of alcohol) is a
major risk factor.
● Acute spinal cord injury is discussed elsewhere. See separate article Spinal Cord Injury
and Compression.

What is Decompression Sickness? (DS)


This type of illness is the result of inadequate decompression which is caused by the bubbles of
nitrogen gas forming in the blood and tissues associated with abrupt changes in pressure.

Decompression sickness also called “the bends” or Caisson disease can be experienced by
scuba divers and individuals who engage in high altitude activities but this post will focus on
DCS in scuba diving. Depending on the amount of nitrogen absorbed and the rate at which it was
released, the symptoms of the bends can be mild to serious and in extreme cases can be
potentially fatal; but DCS can be treated if diagnosed early.

The most common symptoms of DCS are joint pain and numbness or tingling sensation on the
arms, legs or torso. The person may experience itchiness and develop a blotchy rash. It is also
possible to feel unusual fatigue, difficulty urinating, muscular weakness, and even paralysis.
Other symptoms include dizziness, vertigo, ringing in the ear, tremors, and shortness of breath.
In some cases, the diver may experience confusion, amnesia and go through personality
3

changes or bizarre behavior. The person may also cough up blood with frothy sputum or
suddenly collapse and become unconscious.

Signs and symptoms of DCS may manifest within 15 minutes to 12 hours after surfacing but in
severe cases, they may appear even before reaching the surface. Decompression sickness
should never be taken lightly and any person who experiences any of the said symptoms after
scuba diving should seek immediate emergency care. It is vital to inform the attending physician
about the recent diving experience and symptoms.

While waiting for the medical help to arrive, you can dry and keep the diver warm with blankets
while lying down on his back. If there is access to oxygen, it will help to give the diver with
symptoms high flow of oxygen.

Find out where the nearest emergency care facility or hospital equipped with a hyperbaric
chamber is located so the diver can receive definitive care.

The diver will likely be placed in a hyperbaric chamber to allow recompression wherein the
chamber is pressurized with air and oxygen to simulate pressure depths of 30 to 60 feet. The
person may stay inside the hyperbaric chamber up to 12 hours or sometimes longer depending
on the symptoms. During the process, the bubbles are reduced to facilitate blood flow and
prevent further bubble formation. The diver also receives high amounts of oxygen to the injured
tissues. The next treatment depends on how the individual responds to the first treatment.

In most cases, the person is admitted to the hospital to monitor his medical condition and make
sure that the symptoms do not recur.

Untreated DCS can cause mild to permanent damages. For instance, untreated joints pains may
develop into bone damage called osteonecrosis. Failure to treat the bends promptly can also
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lead to difficulty controlling urinary and bowel function, permanent damage to the nervous
system, and even death.

How to prevent DS
1. Always dive with a plan so that you are aware of the dive site, depths of the site and
duration of your entire dive. Keep a margin in case of changes, whether due to human
factors or environmental conditions.

2. Do not go diving when you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs because it could
distort your judgment especially if there is an underwater emergency situation. Alcohol
consumption can cause dehydration which lowers the volume of blood in circulation and
also increases the heart rate. This raises the odds of nitrogen in the body to transform
into a gaseous state of small bubbles instead of being broken down into smaller
solubles to escape the body and bloodstream.

3. Always bring a dive computer with you so that you can measure the time and depth of
your dive and calculate your safe ascent.

4. Do not neglect safety stops or deep stop when your dive computer indicates it. The
general rule is to make a safety stop if you’re diving beyond 33 feet or 10 meters. You
may even do a slightly longer stop just to be on the safe side. Make use of your stop to
check your equipment and take a look at the way going to the surface and your
surroundings.

5. Keep in mind that the correct way of returning to the surface is to go naturally buoyant
which takes time.

6. Maintain the neutrality as you head to the surface and keep your ascend rate slow. The
standard maximum ascent rate is 30 feet or 9 meters per minute. Make it a point to
check your depth gauge and timer to make sure you are ascending at the proper speed.

PROTOCOLS IN DIVING
5

1. Never dive without a buddy.


2. Never dive if you have a cold or are congested in your ears or nose.
3. Always plan your dive, and always dive your plan.
4. Check your diving equipment to make sure it works. Use the right gear that can handle
your planned dive.
5. Do not drink alcohol or take drugs before diving.
6. Ask your doctor what medicines are to safe to use when diving.
7. Ask your doctor how diving can affect your health. It can be dangerous if you have
certain health problems.
8. Become familiar with the underwater area and its dangers. Learn which fish, coral,
and other hazards you should avoid to prevent injury. Be aware of local tides and
currents.
9. Obey all diving instruction. As you descend, make sure you equalize your ears and
mask. At depth, stay inside the parameters of the dive tables and computer. This
information helps you avoid decompression sickness.
10. Never hold your breath while ascending. Your ascent should be slow and your breathing
should be normal.
11. Never panic under water. If you become confused or afraid during a dive, stop, try to
relax, and think through the problem. Ask for help from your dive buddy or dive
master.
12. Cave diving is very dangerous. Only divers with proper training and equipment should
attempt it.
13. If you don’t feel well or if you are in pain after diving, go to the nearest emergency
room right away.
14. Do not fly for 12 hours after a no-decompression dive, even in a pressurized airplane.
If your dive required decompression stops, don’t fly for at least 24 hours.

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