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Risks of Scuba Diving

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As stated earlier, it is crucial that you be aware of the possible risks of diving before you set out. Many of the risks have to do with barotraumas, which are changes in pressure. There are other risks associated with the absorption of gases, and still others that are more mechanical in nature. By following the proper procedures for scuba diving, you should be able to avoid most of these situations.

• Barotrauma- Barotrauma, which is explained by Boyle’s Law) can result in the following illnesses:
1. Vertigo- dizziness cause by unbalanced pressure in the inner ear. This is usually caused by divers who try to dive with a cold.
2. Altitude sickness- headache caused by ascending too quickly. This is usually caused by airplane travel before or after a dive.
3. Barodontalgia- pain in the teeth cause by tiny bubbles trapped in fillings or caps.
4. Decompression illness (“the bends”)- nitrogen in your tissue that is usually caused by hastened decompression.
5. Dysbaric Osteonecrosis- rare bone lesions that occur as a result of long-term exposure to high pressure environments.
6. Lung expansion Injury- caused by holding your breath during an ascent.
7. Pressure arrhythmias- abnormal heart rhythms that occur in response to external pressure.
8. Inner Ear damage- occurs with a failure to equalize. This is caused by water pressure or blocked sinuses.
• Non-Barotrauma (explained by Henry’s Law and Dalton’s Law’s)
1. co2 Toxicity- shortness of breath, headache or confusion caused by too much CO2 in the body. This is caused by improper breathing during heavy exertion.
2. Nitrogen Narcosis- also called the ”rapture of the deep,” nitrogen narcosis occurs as a result of high pressure nitrogen effecting the nervous system. Symptoms are similar to drunkenness.
3. o2 Toxicity- a burning sensation in the lungs, twitching, vomiting, or seizures as a result of absorbing too much oxygen.

• Other Physical Dangers
1. Dangerous Ocean Life- most injuries occur as a result of touching a poisonous animal, such as a jellyfish, sea urchin or stingray.
2. Dehydration- a common problem on boat tours. Dehydration can aggravate other scuba-induced injuries such as nitrogen narcosis.
3. Hypothermia- fatigue and loss of judgment due to a significant loss of body heat.
4. Drowning- occurs by breathing water instead of air, or simply by running out of air under water.
5. Running out of air- this is typically only a problem if you are irresponsible with your air management.
6. Underwater injury- these are usually only cuts, scrapes, or bruises caused by bumping into things. Injuries can also occur by simply getting in and out of the boat.

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