DAN_World_Alert_Diver_Q1_2019

Research, Education & Medicine

From the Medical Line HOW WOULD I KNOW IF THIS IS SKIN BENDS OR SUIT SQUEEZE? DAN medical information specialists and researchers answer your dive medicine questions

as a blotchy, bruise-like rash generally appearing in areas of the body with the most adipose tissue (body fat), such as the abdomen, thighs, buttocks and breasts. The condition usually responds well to surface-level oxygen therapy. DAN has observed, however, that at least 20 percent of divers with suspected skin bends may also experience visual disturbances, weakness, confusion or other neurological symptoms that require recompression treatments. It is important that divers do not overlook these symptoms. DAN always recommends a thorough medical evaluation and appropriate treatment of divers with suspected skin bends. Q: My 15-year-old son is interested in scuba diving. While vacationing in a mountain range two years ago, he developed altitude sickness. He was treated quickly, recovered well and has had no problems since. An experienced diver told me that my son could be more prone to decompression sickness because he has had altitude sickness. Is he really at greater risk? A: The short answer is no. The physics of being at altitude and being at depth are [Travis Ward, EMT-P]

Q: About an hour after I completed a single drysuit dive on air, I noticed odd bruise-like lines on both shoulders and behind both knees, but no other symptoms. The uneventful dive was to 20 metres for 24 minutes in a lake with a water temperature of 10°C. The drysuit was tight around the shoulders, armpits and knees. How would I know if this is skin bends or suit squeeze? A: When differentiating between drysuit squeeze and the many causes of diving-related skin conditions, we can quickly eliminate most types of marine life injuries simply because the skin is completely covered by the suit. Cutaneous decompression sickness (DCS), or skin bends, is a mild form of DCS. Drysuit squeeze is a type of barotrauma or pressure injury to the skin that is caused by a failure to add air to your drysuit during descent. While descending, the volume of the air spaces is reduced and trapped in the folds of the suit. The skin tends to be sucked into these folds. Divers will often recall the suit being tight or ill-fitting. The diver may find linear marks or bruises, usually beneath the drysuit’s valves and seams. This condition is usually painless and clears within a few days. Cutaneous DCS typically presents

opposite each other. Exposures to less atmospheric pressure, such as being in the mountains, affect human physiology differently than when exposed to increased atmospheric pressure, such as with diving. There is no connection between the two illnesses. If your son is physically fit and healthy, there is no reason for him to be more concerned with decompression sickness than any other diver.

[Marty McCafferty, EMT-P, DMT]

Q: Two days ago I was diagnosed with conjunctivitis (pink eye). My doctor prescribed antibiotic eyedrops that I have been using as directed. I am supposed to go diving this weekend. Can I dive while using these drops? A: Antibiotics, whether drops or pills, are not known to be an issue with diving. It is the illness or condition being treated that is always the greater concern. It would be best to wait until the conjunctivitis is completely resolved. Diving is possible if you are physically comfortable enough and have clear vision. Keep in mind that water at the dive site, especially seawater, can be irritating. After you finish diving, you need to clean and disinfect your mask so there is no risk of reinfection. To prevent transmission of conjunctivitis to other divers, do not let anyone else handle your mask, and do not wash it in a communal wash basin.

TOP Does a history of altitude sickness mean greater risk

of DCS? MIDDLE

Can I dive while using drops for conjunctivitis (pink eye)?

LEFT How would I know if this is skin bends or suit squeeze?

[Marty McCafferty, EMT-P, DMT]

Stephen Frink