Diving Injuries Flashcards

1
Q

What is DCS

A

Decompressions sickness

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2
Q

How many types of DCS are there

A

Type I - not life threatening
Type II - serious and possibly life-threatening

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3
Q

What are the symptoms of DCS Type I

A

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

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4
Q

What is the treatment for DCS type I

A

Full neuro exam to rule out AGE or DCS Type II
Oxygen and transport to nearest recompression chamber

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5
Q

What are the symptoms of DCS Type II

A

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

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6
Q

What is the treatment for DCS Type II

A

Full neuro exam to rule out AGE
Oxygen and recompression chamber

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7
Q

What is POIS

A

Pulmonary over inflation syndrome

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8
Q

When does POIS occur

A

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

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9
Q

What s AGE

A

Arterial gas embolism

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10
Q

AGE can commonly lead to what

A

Stroke like symptoms, arrhythmias, and in some cases heart attack

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11
Q

What is the treatment for AGE

A

Basic first aid - cardiac arrest requires CPR, AED, and transport to the nearest ED
Oxygen and recompression chamber

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12
Q

What is mediastinal/subcutaneous emphysema

A

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

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13
Q

What are the symptoms of mediastinal/subcutaneous emphysema

A

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

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14
Q

What is the treatment for mediastinal/subcutaneous emphysema

A

Neuro to rule out AGE
Cardio/lung exam
Oxygen and shallow recompression to 5-10 feet

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15
Q

What is a simple pneumothorax

A

A one time escape of gas

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16
Q

What is a tension pneumothorax

A

When air continues to escape and collapses the lung which compromises cardiac function

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17
Q

What are the symptoms of pneumothorax

A

Sudden, sharp chest pain
Shortness of breath
Labored breathing
Rapid heart rate
Weak pulse
Anxiety (impending doom)

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18
Q

What is the treatment of a pneumothorax

A

Heart/lung exam
100% O2
Needle - d
Chest tube as warranted - definitive treatment

19
Q

What is barotrauma

A

Damage caused by vascular penetration as a result of ambient pressure change to enclosed gas-filled spaces that are surrounded by rigid walls

20
Q

What are the types of barotrauma

A

Ear squeezes
Sinus squeeze
Tooth squeeze

21
Q

What is ear squeeze caused by

A

Injury to tissues within the ear as a result of an obstruction or inability to equalized pressure to the inside, or outside the areas of the tympanic membrane (TM)

22
Q

What are the symptoms of ear squeeze

A

Sharp pain in the ear
Rupture of the TM
Vertigo
Tinnitus
Hearing loss
Nausea/vomiting

23
Q

What is the treatment of ear squeeze

A

HEENT exam
Decongestants
Pain medication

If a ruptured TM is suspected, DO NOT administer medication directly into the ear canal

24
Q

How can carbon monoxide poisoning occur in a diver

A

Their air supply can be contaminated by carbon monoxide when the compressor intake is placed too close to the compressors engine exhaust

25
Q

What are the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning

A

Headaches
Dizziness
Confusion
Nausea
Vomiting
Tightness across the forehead (band-like pressure)

26
Q

What is the treatment for carbon monoxide poisoning

A

Getting diver to fresh air
Oxygen and transport to hyperbaric or MTF

27
Q

What is hypercapnia

A

An abnormally high level of carbon dioxide in the blood and body tissues

28
Q

What are the symptoms of hypercapnia

A

Increased breathing rate
Shortness of breath
Confusion or feelings of euphoria
Inability to concentrate
Increased sweating
Drowsiness
Headache
Loss of consciousness
Convulsions

29
Q

What is the treatment for hypercapnia

A

Decreasing the level of exertion to reduce CO2 production

BASICALLY…. It’s prevention or fix the problem

30
Q

What is CNS oxygen toxicity

A

BASICALLY… the extent of the toxicity is dependent upon both the oxygen partial pressure and the exposure time

31
Q

What are the symptoms of CNS oxygen toxicity

A

VENTIDC
Vision - is tunneled, decreased periphery, and ther
Tinnitus
Nausea
Eyes twitching and facial muscles
Irritability
Dizziness
Convulsions

32
Q

What is the treatment of CNS oxygen toxicity

A

Shift to a breathing mixture with lower oxygen percentage
Immediately ascend

33
Q

What is pulmonary oxygen toxicity

A

A 12 hour exposure to a partial pressure of 1 ata that will produce mild symptoms and measurable decreases in lung function

34
Q

What are symptoms of pulmonary oxygen toxicity

A

Burning sensation during inspiration
Pain during inspiration
Cough
Decreased pulmonary function

35
Q

What is the treatment of pulmonary oxygen toxicity

A

Remove the patient from O2 if respiratory discomfort is present
Consult DMO

36
Q

What is shallow water blackout

A

Oxygen PPO2 is higher at depth and during ascent the PPO2 decreases and increases the risk of hypoxia and unconsciousness

37
Q

What is the biggest risk of shallow water blackout

A

Subsequent drowning

38
Q

What are the symptoms of shallow water blackout

A

Unconsciousness close to the surface or subsurface
Hypoxia
Subsequent drowning
Cardiac/respiratory arrest

39
Q

What is the treatment for shallow water blackout

A

In water: ventilation only, open airway, check breathing, provide 5 rescue breaths
If the patient is pulseless, continue CPR utilizing ABCs

40
Q

What is SIPE

A

Swimming induced pulmonary edema

41
Q

When does SIPE occur

A

During swimming or diving operations; often in young individuals with no predisposing conditions and believed to be related to exertion, immersion in cold water and overhydrating

42
Q

What are the symptoms of SIPE

A

Dull to sharp substernal chest pain
Hemoptysis
SOB
Frothy sputum

43
Q

What is the treatment for SIPE

A

Remove patient from wet/cold environment
Supplemental oxygen
Complete heart/lung exam
EKG
X-ray within 24 hours