It is not uncommon for scuba divers to die. Divers sometimes drown, despite all the benefits. Learn the causes and symptoms of scuba diver fatalities to prevent your next trip. These are common mistakes that scuba divers make and can result in their death. Learn from others' mistakes so you can avoid them. You may even save a life. Here are 5 common mistakes that scuba divers make.
Signs that a scuba diver has died
Asphyxia, which is the leading cause for death among scuba divers, is usually not due to any one factor. However, panic can lead to increased gas consumption. 40% of those who died from asphyxia were either inexperienced divers or had to be separated from their buddies. Among this group, cardiac conditions and pulmonary barotrauma were associated with drowning. However, loss consciousness is the most common symptom. Other symptoms like loss of coordination and cardiac conditions may also be involved.
The first symptoms of decompression sickness for divers are usually a lack in oxygen. However, most symptoms disappear once the patient reaches the surface. To reduce swelling, barotrauma injuries (including a broken eardrum) can be treated with antibiotics or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications. To ensure that the injured area is fully healed, nitrogen narcosis must be treated before the diver may be re-introduced.
Triggers for a Scuba Diver's Death
Most diving accidents occur because of panicked reactions. These responses are unwise and reduce survival chances. Panic is when a diver loses control of his depth and finds himself in a potentially dangerous situation. Panicked diving is an ineffective way to respond. Eyewitness accounts from diving accidents reveal that panic is a key factor in a diver's drowning.
A majority of diving fatalities can be attributed to problems with buoyancy. 52% are due to insufficient buoyancy while 8% are caused excessive buoyancy. According to a DAN survey buoyancy issues were the leading cause of death. In addition to buoyancy problems, the use of wetsuits played a significant role in fatalities. DAN provided a formula to determine the appropriate weight for divers when they go diving.
Causes for the death of a diver
Most of the more than 100 drowning deaths in scuba diving each year were due to drowning. Equipment failure is not the only factor. Other contributing factors could include heart disease, environmental hazards, or an inadvertent response. Equipment failure is often not the cause for death but it can be. Over 80% of drowning deaths are generally attributed to equipment failure, which can obscure the true cause. Accidents do occur, even though most scuba divers always have enough breathing gas. Divers can drown from a variety of reasons, including unmanageable stress and cardiac disease.
An older diver may have ischaemic heart disease. However, asthmatics are rarely allowed to dive. They make up just two to three percentage of all scuba divers. However, asthmatics make up nearly 9 percent of all deaths from diving. Drowsing has been linked to other heart conditions, such as long QT syndrome or drop attacks. Regardless of the cause, these conditions can have severe consequences.
Common mistakes of scuba divers
A recent study of scuba diver fatalities indicates that the vast majority of incidents occur because of a diver's failure to properly prepare and plan ahead. These are known as "precursor incidents." These errors can be either minor or major. Training and sound diving practices can reduce most fatalities. Even then, diving can still pose risks, including equipment failures, bad instructors, and dangerous water conditions. In addition to the risk of drowning, diving companies also must comply with federal and local laws.
Insufficient gas and entanglement are the most common causes of fatal accidents. Insufficient time for decompression was the next most serious. A diver's death can also be caused by insufficient training or experience. According to a recent study, nearly half of all fatalities are due to improper decompression stops or buoyancy problems. Entrapment and insufficient gas were also common causes. Insufficient gas or inadequate training were the leading causes of fatal accidents. But, improper weights and procedures can also lead to death.