Quiz - Physiology - Problems Immediately After a Dive

[Pedro Burrito]

From the Physiology Section of the PADI Dive Theory Exam:

If a diver displays dizziness, difficulty breathing, paralysis or unconsciousness almost immediately upon surfacing from a dive, you may suspect:

a. decompression sickness

b. a lung-expansion injury

c. oxygen toxicity

d. overexertion​

I will post a daily question from my exams to help newer divers and to encourage more experienced divers to interact gracefully and helpfully with the newer divers.

Reminder - this is a post in the Basic Forum and it is a green zone. Please be nice and on topic.

Thank you for your patience while we try to give people something to discuss other than Covid-19 and/or Politics. I will post the answer covered by the spoiler tag later today.

 

[Pedro Burrito]

There will be a followup question tomorrow that might clarify this question.

 

[CT-Rich]

Over exertion is pretty vague, are talk talking heat stroke, dehydration, or cardiac event? I have seen my share of divers turning purple while kitting up.

 

[scubadada]

Good question, same initial treatment for the differential

 

[TMHeimer]

I am in the minority here and may well be wrong. I put b because I recall that an embolism (or mediastinal emphazima and the other 2) may occur pretty much right away whereas DCS may take some time to appear.

 

[Protondecay123]

I will say the term decompression sickness (DCS) always confounds me. I confuse it with decompression illness (DCI) almost every time. I need a mnemonic or something to help me keep them straight.

 

[scubadada]

I will say the term decompression sickness (DCS) always confounds me. I confuse it with decompression illness (DCI) almost every time. I need a mnemonic or something to help me keep them straight.

Decompression illness would be a correct answer for this question

 

[TMHeimer]

Maybe just refer to the bends as DCS and not use DCI-- just call it something else, like barotrama or lung problem (since DCI can refer to either the bends or overexpansion injury).

 

[Storker]

I wouldn't waste time on a diagnosis. I'd get the diver on 100% O2 and call emergency services pronto. And then start jotting down a record of what had happened. I'm not a medical professional, it's not my job to diagnose, only to provide proper emergency care until those who know their stuff arrive.

That said, for me the paralysis would be a giveaway.

Spoiler

Spinal or cerebral bends, given the other conditions

 

[tursiops]

For me, the giveaway is:

Spoiler

almost immediately upon surfacing from a dive