When should I call my Doctor?
If you notice health changes during or soon after a dive, you should assume that it is related to diving. The most likely culprit is decompression illness (DCI), the likelihood of which increases with the severity of the dive. If DCI is suspected, you should receive first aid surface oxygen and a proper medical evaluation. Even if your condition is not DCI, first aid oxygen may still help and will not worsen your condition. If the medical exam indicates that DCI is likely, the next step may be hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) treatment in a recompression chamber. It is also important to drink plenty of liquid once back on the surface.
Some divers, however, may have symptoms during or after diving that ultimately are not related to diving. If you had health issues before the dive, it is possible that postdive symptoms are related to your preexisting condition. Distinguishing between DCI and unrelated health issues in postdive symptoms is often made more difficult because DCI may occur even after innocuous dives, or acute health issues unrelated to the dive may occur in divers who are unaware of any previous health issues.
In any case, the best thing you can do for the most accurate diagnosis is to be honest about all your symptoms, no matter how insignificant they may seem.
HEART ATTACK AND STROKE
Beware of chest pain or pain radiating in the left arm or chin, which may indicate a heart attack. Severe headache, weakness and numbness on one side of the face and body, confusion or slurred speech may indicate a stroke. If any of these symptoms are present, immediately call emergency medical services (EMS) or transport the victim to the nearest emergency care facility.
RECOMPRESSION TREATMENT
In most cases, especially with DCI, HBOT treatment of postdive symptoms in a recompression chamber will help and will not cause harm. Recompression treatment is most effective if it is available locally and can be started soon after the onset of symptoms. Unfortunately, hyperbaric chambers often are not nearby or readily available for divers. DAN advises divers to first go to the nearest medical facility for a professional evaluation and initial treatment and to call DAN if HBOT treatment is deemed necessary. DAN is always available to consult with physicians and to help them with establishing the diagnosis.
EVACUATION
The local medical authority, with input from DAN medics, will determine if someone needs to be evacuated to either a higher level of care or a hyperbaric facility. DAN members must arrange evacuations through the DAN emergency hotline to receive TravelAssist coverage benefits. While the patient is waiting for travel to be arranged, the local medical facility may provide various treatments and support measures to stabilize vital functions and alleviate symptoms, which in some cases results in a complete resolution.
POSTDIVE SYMPTOMS INDICATING DCI
DCI is a possible cause of the following symptoms:
EMERGENCY SITUATIONS
Whether or not you have been diving, the following symptoms represent an emergency situation and require immediate medical care:
DRIVE YOURSELF OR CALL EMS?
You should never drive yourself if you are having severe chest pain or bleeding, if you feel like you might faint or if your vision is impaired. When in doubt, call 911 or the local emergency number for your location. For emergencies such as a heart attack or stroke, paramedics often can begin delivering life-saving treatment on the way to the hospital.
— Petar Denoble, M.D./ AD 2019 Q4
Some divers, however, may have symptoms during or after diving that ultimately are not related to diving. If you had health issues before the dive, it is possible that postdive symptoms are related to your preexisting condition. Distinguishing between DCI and unrelated health issues in postdive symptoms is often made more difficult because DCI may occur even after innocuous dives, or acute health issues unrelated to the dive may occur in divers who are unaware of any previous health issues.
In any case, the best thing you can do for the most accurate diagnosis is to be honest about all your symptoms, no matter how insignificant they may seem.
HEART ATTACK AND STROKE
Beware of chest pain or pain radiating in the left arm or chin, which may indicate a heart attack. Severe headache, weakness and numbness on one side of the face and body, confusion or slurred speech may indicate a stroke. If any of these symptoms are present, immediately call emergency medical services (EMS) or transport the victim to the nearest emergency care facility.
RECOMPRESSION TREATMENT
In most cases, especially with DCI, HBOT treatment of postdive symptoms in a recompression chamber will help and will not cause harm. Recompression treatment is most effective if it is available locally and can be started soon after the onset of symptoms. Unfortunately, hyperbaric chambers often are not nearby or readily available for divers. DAN advises divers to first go to the nearest medical facility for a professional evaluation and initial treatment and to call DAN if HBOT treatment is deemed necessary. DAN is always available to consult with physicians and to help them with establishing the diagnosis.
EVACUATION
The local medical authority, with input from DAN medics, will determine if someone needs to be evacuated to either a higher level of care or a hyperbaric facility. DAN members must arrange evacuations through the DAN emergency hotline to receive TravelAssist coverage benefits. While the patient is waiting for travel to be arranged, the local medical facility may provide various treatments and support measures to stabilize vital functions and alleviate symptoms, which in some cases results in a complete resolution.
POSTDIVE SYMPTOMS INDICATING DCI
DCI is a possible cause of the following symptoms:
- pain in major joints
- skin mottling
- numbness and tingling of legs and arms
- difficulty walking
- loss of muscle strength
- weakness of one half of the face or body
- vertigo
- vision or hearing problems
- loss of equilibrium and nausea
- confusion
- difficulty breathing
- abdominal pain
- unconsciousness
EMERGENCY SITUATIONS
Whether or not you have been diving, the following symptoms represent an emergency situation and require immediate medical care:
- • chest pain or difficulty breathing
- • weakness or numbness on one side
- • sudden inability to speak, see, walk or move
- • slurred speech
- • severe headache or head injury, especially if the individual is on aspirin or blood thinners
- fainting or change in mental state
- serious burns
- head or eye injury
- concussion or confusion
- broken bones and dislocated joints
- fever with a rash
- seizures
- severe cuts that may require stitches
- facial lacerations
- abdominal pain (especially intense localized pain)
- blood in the urine or bloody diarrhea
- vaginal bleeding while pregnant
DRIVE YOURSELF OR CALL EMS?
You should never drive yourself if you are having severe chest pain or bleeding, if you feel like you might faint or if your vision is impaired. When in doubt, call 911 or the local emergency number for your location. For emergencies such as a heart attack or stroke, paramedics often can begin delivering life-saving treatment on the way to the hospital.
— Petar Denoble, M.D./ AD 2019 Q4
Categories
2021
March
Old Habits Die HardSave a Diver, Save YourselfCylinder SafetyUndercover CrabsReef safe sunscreenPhysics, Biophysics and Decompression SicknessModels and Marine LifeSunscreen and CoralCristina Mittermeier: Commitment to ConservationDiving After a StrokeCurrent DivesThis Bites: Prevention TreatmentEnvironmental Considerations for Disinfection
April
Aqua Pool Noodle ExercisesUnderwater Photographer and DAN Member Madelein Wolfaardt10 Simple Things You Can Do to Improve Your Underwater PhotographyCOVID-19 and Diving: March 2021 UpdateDiver Return After COVID-19 Infection (DRACO): A Longitudinal AssessmentGuidelines for Lifelong Medical Fitness to DiveExperienceFitness Myth or Fitness Fact?The Safety of Sports for Athletes With Implantable Cardioverter-DefibrillatorsCardiovascular Fitness and DivingHypertensionPatent Foramen Ovale (PFO)Headaches and DivingMiddle-Ear Barotrauma (MEBT)O’Neill Grading SystemMask Squeeze (Facial Barotrauma)Sinus BarotraumaInner-Ear Barotrauma (IEBT)Middle-Ear EqualisationAlternobaric VertigoDecompression IllnessOn-Site Neurological ExaminationTreating Decompression Sickness (The Bends)Top 5 Factors That Increase Your Risk of the BendsHow to Avoid Rapid Ascents and Arterial Gas EmbolismUnintended Rapid Ascent Due to Uncontrolled InflationUnexpected Weight LossFlying After DivingWisdom Tooth Extraction and DivingYour Lungs and DivingScuba Diving and DiabetesDiving after COVID-19: What We Know TodaySwimmer’s Ear (Otitis Externa)Motion SicknessFitness for DivingDiving After Bariatric SurgeryWhen to Consult a Health-Care Provider Before Engaging in Physical ActivitiesFinding Your FitnessHealth Concerns for Divers Over 50Risk Factors For Heart DiseaseJuggling Physical Exercise and DivingSeasickness Prevention and TreatmentMember to Member: Guidelines for SeniorsHigh-Pressure OphthalmologyOver-the-Counter Medications
May
Due Diligence for Parents and Young DiversThe Deepest Scuba Dive - Part 1Macro Photography 101 with Kate Jonker - Part 1Pregnancy and DivingPregnant and Still Freediving Macro Photography 101 with Kate Jonker - Part 2How Old Is Too OldHow To Clean Your Scuba EquipmentNew Gear OrientationAre 6351-T6 Alloy Scuba Cylinders Safe to Use?Invisible CrystalsHose FailureGear Maintenance: Protect Your Investment and Prevent Dive AccidentsAvoiding Panic After Regulator FailureExperience MattersDive Accident Coverage Vs. Medical & Travel Insurance: Do You Need Both?Medical Emergencies AbroadDive Operations and COVID-19: Prepping for Return FAQsWhen Should I Call My Doctor?
July
Pack Your Camera Equipment for a Dive TripMagic in the GulfAn Insider’s Guide to RoatánShooting in a Turbid EnvironmentSurviving Triple Dangers in the MaldivesShallow-Water Arterial Gas EmbolismsKnow the RisksThe Case of Catastrophic Kelp LossCOPD: Incompatible With DivingHiatal HerniaReturn to Freeding after Cancer TreatmentOuter- and Inner Ear InfectionsExercising After a BreakHazards in Wreck DivingAw InspiredOperation Rising SunDCS in Cozumel