POLLUTED WATER

Question 1

________________ is any body of water that is suspected of containing chemical or biological agents in concentrations that could potentially harm an unprotected diver and/or surface support personnel.

Answer 1

Contaminated Water

Question 2

When must some degree of contamination of a body of water be assumed?

Answer 2

Unless the water is KNOWN to be clean

Question 3

What types of bodies of water have a higher concern for contamination?

Answer 3

Closed bodies of water with NO FLOW (like a pond or a flooded quarry)

Question 4

What types of bodies of water have less of a concern for contamination?

Answer 4

Large body of water WITH FLOW or CIRCULATION (Like a River, Lake, or Ocean)

Question 5

Where do most water contaminants tend to concentrate?

Answer 5

In the Sediment

Question 6

For contaminated water diving, what is the minimum gear that is required?

Answer 6

1) Full face mask

2) Dry Suit that has mating dry gloves

Question 7

Dry suits must have _________ gloves for contaminated water diving.

Answer 7

Mating Dry Gloves

Question 8

What type of biological contaminant is “Red Tide”?

Answer 8

Harmful algal blooms

Question 9

What type of biological contaminant is “fecal coliforms”

Answer 9

Bacteria

Question 10

What are the types of biological contaminants found in water?

Answer 10

1) Harmful algal blooms (e.g., red tide)
2) Bacteria (e.g., fecal coliforms)
3) Viruses
4) Parasites

Question 11

Biological contaminants may be present especially when diving near shore or urban areas within ______ of a storm.

Answer 11

36 hours

Question 12

What are the five bacteria that most commonly produce soft tissue infections in association with exposure to water or water-related animals?

Answer 12

1) Aeromonas species
2) Edwardsiella tarda
3) Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae
4) Vibrio vulnificus
5) Mycobacterium marinum

Question 13

Management of soft tissue infections following water exposure include:

Answer 13

1) Determine whether treatment requires hospitalization
2) Empiric antibiotic administration
3) Assessment of tetanus vaccination
4) Surgical debridement in patients with necrotizing infections

Question 14

What is the recommended initial empiric therapy for soft tissue infections following water exposure?

Answer 14

EITHER:

1) Cephalexin (Keflex)

OR

2) Clindamycin PLUS Levofloxacin (Levaquin)

PLUS Metronidazole (Flagyl)

AND

Doxy (If there is SEAWATER EXPOSURE)