Knowing some basic first aid treatments for scuba medical problems can decrease the likelihood of an accident becoming seriously life-threatening. Learn how to recognize the signs and symptoms of dive injuries. List of Scuba Diving Injuries and Illnesses It can take several weeks for this kind of injury to heal even after receiving medical attention. Left untreated, cuts and skin scrapes from sharp barnacles and corals can fester and weep (similar to the scratches from a house cat). One of the repeated marine life-related injuries is coral scrape and it is experienced by snorkelers more often than scuba divers. Despite not always resulting in a life-threatening situation, marine envenomation often causes: But, it also happens by 'accident' when divers interact with marine life. Often, this type of scuba diving injury occurs during a water entry or exit. injected through a puncture or a bite) can result in envenomation. Some marine animals use toxins for a defence mechanism, such as jellyfish, cone snails, and stone fish. Important: If you go flying too soon after diving you can increase the likelihood of getting DCS (because pressure inside the cabin will be less than sea level). Even so, it can take up to 24 hours for some of the usual symptoms to show up, such as: In general, DCS symptoms become apparent within one (1) hour of surfacing. Yet, it can still occur without any obvious contributing factor. In most of the reported cases of decompression sickness (DCS), the injured divers ignored the safe depth and time limits. For example, decompression sickness (The Bends) can occur if absorbed nitrogen comes out of solution too quickly. Some of the most serious scuba injuries happen if there is a rapid decrease in surrounding pressure. Important: Equalising early and often is the best way to prevent ear barotrauma and you should also avoid using decongestants when diving. If the doctor rules out an infection, the recommended treatments may include nasal steroid sprays, a hot compress, or oral decongestants (e.g. Swollen (or redness) around the outside of the ear.Loss of hearing, muffled hearing, or tinnitus (ringing in the ears).Dizziness, nausea, or vertigo (giddiness).A 'fullness' feeling in the ears (like there is water inside).from an ear, nose, and throat specialist). You should stop diving and seek medical care (e.g. The following symptoms are typical with ear and sinus barotraumas. The top reported scuba injuries are Barotraumas (accounting for 44%) and the least is motion sickness at sea (around 2%). Note: The pie chart shows dive related injuries and illnesses that happen most frequently. In fact, three medical issues are reported to Diver Alert Network (DAN) by email and the Emergency Hotline more than any of the others listed below. So, it's important to realise which scuba diving accidents and incidents happen the most - and how to treat them. Once you know how to recognise a serious situation, you can make the appropriate response. Despite being a rare occurrence, divers report some scuba injuries and illnesses more often than others.
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