Louisville Diving Review

Without the proper certification and instruction scuba diving can cause serious injuries to the body. In order to avoid injury, you should be able to recognize the signs as they progress.

Decompression sickness: Bubbles can form anywhere in the body, but symptomatic sensation is most frequently observed in the shoulders, elbows, knees, and ankles. There is a pain involved and should be treated immediately. Oxygen first aid is used as an emergency treatment for diving injuries.

Nitrogen narcosis: Due to its perception-altering effects, the onset of narcosis may be hard to recognize. An early effect may be loss of near-visual accommodation. The most dangerous aspects of narcosis are the loss of decision-making ability, loss of focus, impaired judgement and multi-tasking and coordination. The management of narcosis is to ascend to shallower depths; the effects then disappear within minutes. In the event of complications or other conditions being present, ascending is always the correct initial response. Should problems remain, then it is necessary to abort the dive.

Oxygen toxicity: A condition resulting from the harmful effects of breathing molecular oxygen (O₂) at elevated partial pressures.  Symptoms include visual changes, ringing in the ears, nausea, twitching, irritability, and dizziness. Using an oxygen clock will help avoid this type of situation.

Seek instruction and certifcation prior to open-water diving. Always dive with a buddy!