Deaths of scuba divers are quite common. Despite the many benefits of scuba dive, there are still some drownings. To avoid a repeat of this fate, learn the causes and symptoms. These are the most common mistakes that scuba divers make that can lead to their deaths. Take what you have learned from others and learn how to avoid them. You might even save a life. Here are 5 common mistakes that scuba divers make.
Symptoms of a scuba diver's death
Asphyxia, the leading cause to death of scuba divers is rarely due to one factor. But panic can increase gas consumption. Asphyxia was responsible for approximately 40% of all deaths. The most common causes of drowning were cardiac conditions and lung barotrauma. However, loss consciousness is the most common symptom. Other symptoms like loss of coordination and cardiac conditions may also be involved.
Decompression sickness is usually manifested in the earliest stages of a diver's life. Most symptoms vanish once they reach 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 to a Dive Diver's Death
Most diving accidents occur because of panicked reactions. These actions are not rational and decrease the chances of survival. Panic is when a diver loses control of his depth and finds himself in a potentially dangerous situation. Panicked responses only make matters worse and can lead to ineffective solutions. 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. In a DAN survey, buoyancy problems were the most frequent triggers of deaths. 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 of death in scuba divers
Most of the more than 100 drowning deaths in scuba diving each year were due to drowning. Other than equipment failure, other factors that could contribute to death include environmental hazards, heart disease, and inadvertently responding. Equipment failure is not always the cause of death. However, it can play a significant role. In general, drowning is the cause of more than 80%. Accidents can still happen, even though most divers keep a supply of oxygen on hand. Divers may drown due to a number of factors, including cardiac disease or unmanageable stress.
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. No matter what the cause, these conditions can lead to severe consequences.
Common mistakes made by scuba divers
A recent study on the causes of fatalities for scuba divers has revealed that the vast majority of such incidents can be attributed to poor planning and preparation. These mistakes are known as "precursor events." They can be minor or major. Most fatalities can be prevented with proper training and sound diving practices. Even then, diving can still pose risks, including equipment failures, bad instructors, and dangerous water conditions. Diving companies must also comply with all applicable federal and state laws.
Insufficient gas, entanglement and insufficient decompression were the main causes of fatal accidents. An insufficient level of training and experience could also lead to a diver's untimely death. A recent study revealed that nearly half of fatalities occurred due to incorrect decompression stops and buoyancy problems. Insufficient gas and entrapment were also common causes. Insufficient gas and inadequate training were the most common causes of fatal accidents, but there were cases of improper weights and procedures that may have resulted in a diver's death.