Injuries and Malfunctions

Question 1

Overexpansion Injuries Definition

Answer 1

Diving maladies caused by the effects of pressure (air expanding in the lungs beyond their capacity to stretch) on ascent.

Question 2

Arterial Gas Embolism (AGE) Definition

Answer 2

A blockage of blood supply caused by air bubbles in a blood vessel or the heart.

Question 3

Pneumothorax Definition

Answer 3

Air escapes from the lungs and moves between the covering of the lungs (pleural lining) and the rib cages.

Question 4

Subcutaneous Emphysema Definition

Answer 4

Air escapes from the lungs into the area of the heart and moves along the windpipe into the region around the collar bone and the neck.

Question 5

Mediastinal Emphysema Definition

Answer 5

Air escapes from the lungs into the area of the heart and presses on the heart and surrounding blood vessels.

Question 6

What causes Mediastinal Emphysema, Subcutaneous Emphysema, and Pneumothorax?

Answer 6

Holding your breath and ascending. Air in the lungs expands as the pressure decreases and the alveoli rupture.

Question 7

Alveoli Elastic Limit?

Answer 7

2 psi

Question 8

What is the most obvious symptom of an Arterial Gas Embolism?

Answer 8

Unconsciousness.

Question 9

What are other signs of an Arterial Gas Embolism?

Answer 9

Slurred speech, confusion, weakness in one or more limbs, coordination deficit, sensation deficit, or muscle motion deficit.

Question 10

Pneumothorax and Mediastinal Emphysema Symptoms

Answer 10

Breathing difficulty.

Question 11

Subcutaneous Emphysema Symptoms

Answer 11

Swelling in the neck area and a crackling sensation upon touching the swollen area, voice changes, possible breathing difficulties.

Question 12

Mediastinal Emphysema Symptoms

Answer 12

Chest pain, breathing difficulties, weakness, collapse, blueness of the lips and nail beds.

Question 13

Caissons Disease Alternate Name

Answer 13

Decompression Sickness

Question 14

Decompression Sickness Symptoms

Answer 14

Pain usually described as deep and persistent, mostly in the joints.
Itchy skin rash, visual disturbances, motor paralysis, weakness, loss of manual dexterity, vertigo, numbness, respiratory distress, headache, unconsciousness, loss of memory, nausea.

Question 15

Nitrogen Narcosis Definition

Answer 15

Slowing of nerve impulses to the brain as increased nitrogen is absorbed under pressure by the fatty sheath covering some nerves.

Question 16

Nitrogen Narcosis Symptoms

Answer 16

light headedness, euphoria, unusual behavior, loss of dexterity, dizziness, abnormal vision and hearing, inability to reason, carlessness, short-term memory loss.

Question 17

Oxygen Toxicity

Answer 17

Oxygen breathed at too high a partial pressure (1.6 ata) can become poisonous.

Question 18

Oxygen Toxicity Symptoms

Answer 18

Convulsions, Visual problems, ear disorder, nausea, twitching, irritability, and dizziness. (ConVENTID acronym)

Question 19

Hypercapnia (Carbon Dioxide Buildup) Defintition

Answer 19

Excessive carbon dioxide retention

Question 20

Hypercapnia Symptoms

Answer 20

Distress, anxiety, headache, confusion, irrational behavior, drowsiness, unconsciousness.

Question 21

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Symptoms

Answer 21

Red lips and nail beds, headache, dizziness, nausea, weakness, uncoordinated movements, confusion, unconsciousness.

Question 22

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Causes

Answer 22

Contamination of the breathing medium