Diving physiology

Question 1

The respiratory and cardiac centers are located in:

a) Spinal cord
b) Brain stem
c) Cerebrum
d) Cerebellum

Answer 1

b) Brain stem

Question 2

Equalisation of the middle ear is through the:

a) Sinus
b) Eustachian tube
c) Tympanic membrane
d) External canal

Answer 2

b) Eustachian tube

Question 3

The air that passes into and out of the lungs during normal breathing is:

a) Expiratory reserve volume
b) The vital capacity
c) Residual volume
d) Tidal volume

Answer 3

d) Tidal volume

Question 4

A diver diving with a cold or chest infection is also liable to suffer from:

a) Baraotrauma
b) DCI
c) Carbon dioxide poisoning
d) Carbon monoxide poisoning

Answer 4

a) Baraotrauma

Question 5

The inability to clear ears will result in:

a) Vestibular decompression sickness
b) Aural barotrauma
c) Cerebal DCI
d) Emphysema

Answer 5

b) Aural barotrauma

Question 6

How long after resuscitation would you expect a secondary drowning to occur?

a) 0 to 6 hours
b) 6 to 12 hours
c) 12 to 24 hours
d) Every near drowning victim may develop lung problems up to 72 hours after the event.

Answer 6

d) Every near drowning victim may develop lung problems up to 72 hours after the event.

Question 7

Shortly after a dive, a diver complains of pins and needles in his toes and pain around his waist. The pain is getting worse. What his your diagnosis?

a) Static neurological DCI with girdle pain
b) Acute cutaneous DCI
c) Progressive neurological DCI with girdle pain
d) Relapsing lymphatic DCI

Answer 7

c) Progressive neurological DCI with girdle pain

Question 8

After an uncontrolled ascent to the surface, a diver using nitrox rapidly becomes confused and semi-conscious. What is probably wrong with him?

a) Acute static limb pain
b) Spontaneously improving neurological DCI
c) Arterial gas embolism
d) Progressive cutaneous DCI

Answer 8

c) Arterial gas embolism

Question 9

During a closed bell dive, the bellman complains of a headache and sweating, and is breathing rapidly. What is probably wrong with him?

a) Hyperoxia
b) Hypercapnia
c) Hypothermia
d) Heat stroke

Answer 9

b) Hypercapnia

Question 10

The maximum allowable concentration of Co2 for a long exposure time in a recompression chamber is:

a) 0.16 ATA
b) 5mb
c) 0.2 BA
d) 120 mb

Answer 10

b) 5 mb

Question 11

Gas formation just below the skin around the nexck after a dive could be:

a) Medistinal emphysema
b) Subcutaneous emphysema
c) Pneumothorax
d) Interstitial emphysema

Answer 11

b) Subcutaneous emphysema

Question 12

Bubbles forming in the tissues affect the body by:

a) Blocking the arteries and small vessels
b) Tearing tissue
c) Clotting the blood
d) All of the above

Answer 12

d) All of the above