Scuba divers are frequently susceptible to Decompression sickness, or as it is much more frequently known, “The Bends.” This sickness happens in men and women who uncover themselves in a scenario that includes a rapid lower in stress about the physique.
Causes of Decompression Sickness
It occurs when nitrogen bubbles create up in the body. During standard breathing, about 79% of the air we breathe is nitrogen but as we descend in water, our becoming submerged in the water causes an improve in stress, and nitrogen is absorbed into our body tissue. It is not immediately detrimental and it is feasible for the physique to continue absorbing nitrogen till the point of saturation – when the pressure in our tissue equals the outside pressure. The difficulty happens when stress needs to be released. To counter the sudden alter of pressure, scuba divers should ascend from deep water at a slow pace taking pauses – or security stops – if required, so that the nitrogen can slowly, steadily and safely leak out from the bodily tissue.
Decompression Sickness happens when the ascent is performed as well rapidly, as the nitrogen escapes from the body too rapidly and types bubbles within the bodily tissue. Normally, any bubbles inside the tissue must be on the arterial side of the circulatory method in order to be damaging, even though they are typically harmless when on the venous side of the tissue.
Sorts of Decompression Sickness
There are numerous types of Decompression Sickness (DCS), the very first of which is characterized by pain but is not immediately life-threatening, and could be a mere warning sign of more significant problems. More critical kinds consist of Cutaneous Decompression Sickness, exactly where nitrogen bubbles come out of by way of skin capillaries, and Joint and Limb Discomfort. The second kind is far more significant and can be fatal as it impacts the nervous system. Neurological, Pulmonary, and Cerebral Decompression Sickness are examples of DCS where the nitrogen bubbles impact the nervous technique, lungs, or brain, respectively. Some common symptoms of both varieties incorporate extreme fatigue, joint and limb pain, tingling, numbness, dizziness, blurred vision, and headaches.
Remedy of Decompression Sickness
Usually administered on the scene, and consists of oxygen therapy and standard first aid. Recompression remedy in a hyperbaric chamber have to right away adhere to, and the slightest delay in starting recompression treatment can be the largest single trigger of residual effects.
The best treatment is prevention, so follow these guidelines. Always ascend gradually and safely from every dive, never push your limits, perform all required decompression stops and hold physically fit and inside a healthier weight variety.
