Underwater Blood Nose?

[RyanCY]

Hi everyone.

I only started diving a few weeks ago, and I'm thoroughly enjoying it. Yesterday morning, just after I woke up, I blew my nose and it started bleeding, not an entirely uncommon thing for me at all. It's happened to me all my life, and there's usually no warning or any hint that it will happen until there's blood everywhere.

So my question is what should I do if this happens to me on a dive (e.g. if I get kicked in the face by a buddy or something)? Obviously the dive is over for me, but what about clearing my mask? Should I make an emergency ascent? Should everyone else also leave the water too? This topic wasn't covered in any of the health issues covered in the course.

Just wondering,
Ryan.

 

[halocline]

I don't have the answer you're looking for, but I do know if your mask fills up with bloody water it'll really give your buddy a scare!

You might try one of the diving medicion forums. Bet it's been discussed before.

 

[The Chairman]

Blood in the mask is not uncommon. This normally occurs during a harsh val salva manouever where the cappilaries that are close to the surface are traumatised. Unless it keeps filling your mask up, I wouldn't worry about it. You might mind that the hyperbaric conditions encountered during diving will toughen up your nasal passages. It did for me!

BTW, I am not a medical doctor, and this advice is given as a dive instructor. I fix sick Networks.

 

[SharkRider]

Bloody noses during diving are not uncommon at all. Due to the increasing and decreasing pressures and the extra load on the sinuses. "Hard" forceful clearing can lead to bleeds, not equalizing properly (early ) can lead to bleeds, rapid ascents can lead to bleeds and they are all far more common than the "getting kicked in the face" bleed.

A little bit of blood in your mask is not cause for an emergency ascent, assuming you feel fine otherwise. In fact, ascending to quickly (even a matter of a few feet) could have been the cause. Maintain your depth and possibly descend a little. If the bleed is heavy or seems to get worse, then a slow controlled ascent to the surface is advised. Keep in mind, that anxiety (about the bleed) will lead to an increased heart rate and therefore blood will be pumped through your system quicker... which could lead to a worseniing of the bleed. Above all else, stay calm and think to yourself that this is just a nose bleed. If the bleed is literally filling your mask, you have likely ruptured an artery in the sinuses. This happened to me after sinus surgery and was very scary. It is an unlikely event however and unless you've had recent sinus surgery, the chance is slim to none. If you're comfortable clearing your mask, do so as often as you have to on the ascent. If you are not confident with this skill and struggle with it... avoid trying to clear your mask... you will likely compound your problems. Wait until you've reached the surface. Even if you feel OK once you've reached the surface, fully inflate your BCD and signal for assistance. Struggling to get back to the boat with a nose bleed can lead to lightheadedness, dizziness and a further increased blood flow.

Hope this helps!

 

[Red Sea Shadow]

Ryan,
You should clear your mask in the regular way, as if it is filled with water not blood.
Why is the dive over for you? Do you experience any dizziness while bleeding?
Why do you think of making an emergency ascent?
All you need to do is to make the diving team aware of your case so as not to be give anyone a scare.

 

[fishoutawater]

I wouldn't end the dive because of a bloody nose. I'd just take my mask of and swish it around a little, put it back on and clear it.
Of course, I might feel a little different about it if I was diving with S Africa's Great Whites. Then I might decide to just keep my mask on and continue, depending on how fast my mask is filling with blood. But I still wouldn't make an emergency ascent.
Then there's some folks that assert that blood in the water attracting sharks is just an old wive's tale, but I'm not sure if the sharks have heard this assertion or not.

In any case, I wouldn't worry too much about someone finning your mask, and causing a nose bleed. That would take a pretty good whack.

 

[Fish_Whisperer]

Just depends on whether those old wives were married to sharks or not, I guess...

 

[Red Sea Shadow]

Of course, I might feel a little different about it if I was diving with S Africa's Great Whites. Then I might decide to just keep my mask on and continue, depending on how fast my mask is filling with blood. But I still wouldn't make an emergency ascent.
Then there's some folks that assert that blood in the water attracting sharks is just an old wive's tale, but I'm not sure if the sharks have heard this assertion or not.

As far as I know, sharks are attracted to 'fresh' blood not coagulated blood. For example, they won't be attracted to nose bleeding caused by sinus inflammation. Blood caused by menstruation won't attract them either.

 

[fishoutawater]

I don't normally get nose bleeds. Usually only happens when I beat up someone's fist with it.

And Shadow, I've always heard the Red Sea to be "THE" dive destination.
It's always been on my 'before I die' list. Someday...

 

[miketsp]

I also have regular nose-bleeds caused by a sensitive area in my sinuses.
Aggravation factor is dry air like intense air conditioning and long-haul flights.
My ENT said that one option would be to cauterise the area but didn't recommend it.

The strange thing is that it has never happened underwater no matter how much I have to force compensation. This could well be because I normally like to aspirate a little sea water through my sinuses while bobbing at the surface before submerging. Acts as a natural decongestant and as we know, anything wet with salt water is difficult to dry.

This fits in with my ENTs recommendation to use a sinus spray on long-haul flights to keep the sensitive area humid. One with no medicinal content.