Diving Injuries Flashcards
What is DCS
Decompressions sickness
How many types of DCS are there
Type I - not life threatening
Type II - serious and possibly life-threatening
What are the symptoms of DCS Type I
Joint pain - commonly to knees, ankle, elbow and wrist (think outside of the thorax)
Skin symptoms - itching and marbling such as cutis marmorata
Lymph node symptoms - painful lymph nodes and swelling
What is the treatment for DCS type I
Full neuro exam to rule out AGE or DCS Type II
Oxygen and transport to nearest recompression chamber
What are the symptoms of DCS Type II
Neurological DCS - (think brain and spine) numbness, muscle weakness, mental status changes, incontinence
Inner ear DCS - (Staggers) tinnitus, hearing loss, vertigo, dizziness, nausea, vomiting
Cardiopulmonary DCS - (Chokes) chest pain, painful inspiration, irritating cough, tachypnea, lung congestion
What is the treatment for DCS Type II
Full neuro exam to rule out AGE
Oxygen and recompression chamber
What is POIS
Pulmonary over inflation syndrome
When does POIS occur
When gas is forced through damage lung tissue into the arterial system, and/or tissues in the middle of the chest surrounding the lungs, heart, trachea, and major vessels
What s AGE
Arterial gas embolism
AGE can commonly lead to what
Stroke like symptoms, arrhythmias, and in some cases heart attack
What is the treatment for AGE
Basic first aid - cardiac arrest requires CPR, AED, and transport to the nearest ED
Oxygen and recompression chamber
What is mediastinal/subcutaneous emphysema
Occurs when gas is forced through damaged lung tissue into the loose mediastinal tissues in the middle of the chest surrounding the heart, trachea and major vessels
What are the symptoms of mediastinal/subcutaneous emphysema
Mild-moderate pain under the breastbone
Pain that radiates to the shoulder or back
Fullness around the neck and difficulty swallowing
Voice change
Palpitation of the skin near the trachea may result in crepitus
What is the treatment for mediastinal/subcutaneous emphysema
Neuro to rule out AGE
Cardio/lung exam
Oxygen and shallow recompression to 5-10 feet
What is a simple pneumothorax
A one time escape of gas
What is a tension pneumothorax
When air continues to escape and collapses the lung which compromises cardiac function
What are the symptoms of pneumothorax
Sudden, sharp chest pain
Shortness of breath
Labored breathing
Rapid heart rate
Weak pulse
Anxiety (impending doom)