Scuba diving is an exciting and fun sport; however, it can be a costly and dangerous one too. If divers learn how to recognize, prevent, and treat oxygen toxicity, nitrogen narcosis, and decompression sickness the sport will be safer.

Recreational scuba diving is defined as pleasure diving to a depth of 130 feet without decompression stops. Several scuba-certifying agencies offer training for divers, from beginners to experts. Three of the agencies are the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), the National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI) and Scuba Schools International (SSI). Basic classes involve classroom instruction and training in a pool and open water settings. The most popular courses last from 4 to 8 weeks; however, there are resort courses offered in an abbreviated time but more limitations are placed on the diver. Fortunately, serious medical problems are uncommon in recreational scuba divers. While there are millions of dives each year in the Unites States, only about 90 deaths are reported each year worldwide. In addition, fewer than 1,000 divers worldwide require recompression therapy to treat severe dive-related, health problems.

“Decompression illness” refers to both decompression sickness and lung over-expansion injuries. The reason for a combined term is that in a dive emergency the first aid for either DCS or lung over-expansion injury is the same. It is not necessary to distinguish between them when helping an injured diver, so emergency care follows protocols for a “single” condition called “decompression illness.” (PADI, Encyclopedia 2-29)

The recommended first aid for any type of decompression illness is to administer oxygen. The patient should lie down on his left side on a level platform with their head supported. Lying on the left side helps keep the airway clear should the patient vomit. If the patient is not breathing, place him on his back for rescue breathing and/or CPR. As soon as you have oxygen administered and the patient secured, you need to transport him to a medical facility as quickly as possible. Recompression in a chamber as soon as possible will help prevent long term or possibly fatal injuries. While you are waiting for transport you should call ahead to the facility to ensure that the recompression chamber is available. This can prevent a longer delay and possibly prevent more serious long-term damage. The patient is then slowly decompressed at a rate that allows the body to off-gas the additional nitrogen. Although decompression sickness is a serious condition, it is rarely fatal if treated properly and in a timely manner.

In type I decompression sickness, symptoms are usually mild and may manifest as fatigue malaise, or may be more specific, involving the muscles, joints and skin. Type II decompression sickness is more severe and can affect the lungs, vestibular apparatus. In type II, more than 50 percent of patients develop symptoms within one hour of ascent; within six hours, 90 percent of divers are symptomatic (Newton 2214). Shelanski writes in Body Count:

Heart problems can cause many problems in life as well as with scuba diving. Cardiovascular disease continues to be one of the most common contributors to diving fatalities. Divers who do not exercise daily may not know their limitations and in the water is no place finding out. Diving should be considered a strenuous sport and prepared for accordingly.

The latest DAN report shows four preventable factors related to the majority of mishaps. The big key is for divers not to panic. Most injuries can have been prevented or made less severe if the divers would just remain calm like they are taught from their certifying agencies. Along with panic goes preparation. You must be mentally prepared for diving and this will aid in keeping the stress level down during an emergency.

Of the accidents treated in 1996, there were 122 cases of type I decompression sickness and 303 cases of the more serious type II.

Some topics in this essay:
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