Diving

Question 1

Boyles Law

Answer 1

The volume of a given quantity of gas at a constant temp varies inversely with the absolute pressure found in the environment.
Lower = higher pressure
Volume decrease as pressure increase
Opposite with height

Question 2

Henry’s law

Answer 2

At a constant temp, the amount of gas that will dissolve in a liquid is directional proportional to the partial pressure of that gas outside the liquid.

Question 3

AGE

Answer 3

Arterial gas embolism - generally presents immediately upon surfacing resulting in chest pain, LOC, or neurological symptoms. It requires immediate tmt in a decompression chamber.

DCS Type III - causes death, rapid ascent, lie supine during transport, leads to MI or stroke, bloody sputum

Question 4

DCS

Answer 4

Decompression Sickness - generally 75% present within 1 hour (90% in 12 hours) with a varied presentation.
- Bubbles disrupt cells and cause loss of function
- Act as emboli and cause mechanical compression/ stretching of blood vessels/ nerves
- Blood-bubble causes early phases coagulation
The most common presentation are joint pain, neurological complications (numbness/ tingling), skin mottling

Question 5

Barotrauma

Answer 5

Squeeze
Most common form of diving related injury
Most will resolve spontaneously and do not require tmt in a decompression chamber
Most barotrauma occur within non-compressible gas-filled body cavities

Mask
Sinuses
Ears
Gut
Teeth

If the pressure in these spaces can not equalizes during a dive as the ambient pressure increases:

1. Vascular engorgement
2. Hemorrhage and mucosal edema will result from decreasing air volume as the diver descends
3. Tissue disruption results from the increasing air volume as the diver ascends

Question 6

Mask Squeeze

Answer 6

Facial BT
Inexperienced divers who fail to equalize pressure in face mask
Occurs during descent
SS- skin ecchymosis, conjunctiva hemorrhage
Assessment- look at tissues surrounding eyes for capillary rupture
Mgt- self-limiting, no diving until tissue damage clears, cold compress, rest, analgesia

Question 7

DCS Type I

Answer 7

Mild:
cutaneous, lymphatic, and MSK systems
- Progressive dull, deep, throbbing tooth-ache pain
- Shoulders/ elbows, feels like pulled muscle/ tendinitis
- Niggles, itchy, skin burning, mottling rash

Question 8

DCS Type II

Answer 8

Serious:
Involves Cardiopulmonary/ Neurological system
- "CHOKES"
- Pulmonary symptoms
- Hypovolemic shock
- Nervous system involvement
- Lower lumbar - symptoms mimic spinal injury
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