DIVE LOG DECEMBER 25 ISSUE 415

5. Ver ti go Ver ti go is o ft en confused with dizziness, but true ver ti go feels like the world is spinning. If ver ti go occurs during or a ft er a dive, assume the cause is related to the dive and respond accordingly. Ver ti go can be caused by decompression sickness, impure breathing gas, or an imbalance in ear equalisa ti on. Persistent ver ti go may be the sign of a more serious underlying condi ti on, and evalua ti on by an ENT may be required. 6. Headache A headache combined with hot, dry skin, amber-coloured urine, or problems urina ti ng are possible signs of dehydra ti on and/or heat stroke. Other symptoms of heat stroke may include: a pronounced change in mental status, nausea or vomi ti ng, loss of consciousness, cessa ti on of swea ti ng and/or a body temperature exceeding 40°C. A headache along with other nervous system issues such as muscle weakness, di ffi culty walking, confusion or impairment of cogni ti ve func ti ons, ver ti go, dizziness and/or impaired balance may be signs of DCS II. Case Summary: What Happens When Symptoms Are Ignored A male diver felt weak, dizzy, and confused twenty minutes a ft er surfacing from a dive. He had been diving for four consecu ti ve days, and the dives were uneven tf ul and within the parameters of his computer. He returned to his room and, a ft er res ti ng, the dizziness and confusion resolved. The next day, he called DAN repor ti ng weakness and muscle spasms in his legs and di ffi culty urina ti ng. This is an example of a diver underes ti ma ti ng his symptoms. The early post-dive onset of weakness, dizziness and confusion are some of the typical symptoms of DCS. First aid oxygen should have been administered from the onset of symptoms, not delayed un ti l the next day. Several recompression treatments were needed before the diver regained full control of his bladder and strength of his legs; however, some loss of sensory func ti ons remained. If symptoms present following a dive: * Commence Oxygen First Aid * Seek Medical Evalua ti on * Call the DAN Emergency Hotline: 1800 088 200 Within Australia / +1-919-684 9111 Interna ti onal World.DAN.org

Top Six Signs of a Serious Injury Diving is a physical ac ti vity so it’s not unusual for divers to experience muscle soreness or other post-dive discomfort. But some ti me those aches and pains are signs of a serious medical problem. Recognising the early signs of decompression sickness (DCS), heat stroke, and other condi ti ons can help an injured diver get the medical a tt en ti on they need. Know the Signs 1. Chest Pain Divers who experience chest pain or discomfort when swallowing a ft er a dive may have pulmonary barotrauma. Sharp pain on one side of the chest or feeling ti ghtness in the chest may be signs of a pneumothorax, known as a collapsed lung. Other symptoms include: shortness of breath, rapid heart rate, rapid breathing, cough, fa ti gue and/or blueish skin. 2. Paralysis, Par ti al Paralysis or Weakness Paralysis of one or more parts of the body may be a sign of Type II DCS. Weakness or paralysis in the extremi ti es may also be a sign of arterial gas embolism (AGE). Other symptoms of AGE include bloody froth from the mouth or nose and convulsions, although the most common sign of an AGE is loss of consciousness. AGE is considered extremely serious and suspicion of AGE symptoms warrants immediate evacua ti on to

medical care. 3. Joint Pain

Steady or throbbing pain par ti cularly in larger joints such as the shoulders and elbows may be a sign of Type II DCS. The pain may feel like a muscle sprain, but it’s important to be proac ti ve and have any symptoms evaluated by a quali fi ed

professional. 4. Skin Issues

A rash, itchy feeling, or skin marbling may be a sign of a type of Type I DCS known as a skin bend. This type of DCS has been linked to more serious neurological DCS symptoms and should be treated as seriously as other diving related injuries.

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DIVE LOG Australasia #415 - December ‘25

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