The number of scuba diver deaths is staggering. Divers sometimes drown, despite all the benefits. Learn the causes and symptoms of scuba diver fatalities to prevent your next trip. Here are some common mistakes scuba divers make that lead to their death. You can learn from others' mistakes and avoid them. You may even save a life. These are the top five mistakes that scuba divers make.
Death of a Scuba Diver
Although panic can cause increased gas consumption, asphyxia is not the most common cause of death in scuba divers. About 40% of asphyxia-related deaths were caused by inexperienced divers, or people who had been separated from their dive buddies. Among this group, cardiac conditions and pulmonary barotrauma were associated with drowning. The most common symptom is loss of consciousness, but other symptoms, such as loss coordination, could 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. Barotrauma injuries, including a broken eardrum, can be treated with antibiotics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to minimize swelling. 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 result from panicked reactions. These responses are irrational and lower the chances of survival. Panic happens when a diver is in danger and loses control over his depth. His panicked reaction only exacerbates the situation and is therefore an ineffective response. Eyewitness accounts from diving accidents reveal that panic is a key factor in a diver's drowning.
Many diving fatalities are caused by issues with buoyancy. About 52% of the incidents were due to poor buoyancy and only 8% by excessive buoyancy. In a DAN survey, buoyancy problems were the most frequent triggers of deaths. The use of wetsuits was also a factor in many fatalities. DAN provided a formula to determine the appropriate weight for divers when they go diving.
Causes for the death of a diver
The majority of drownings that resulted in the deaths of scuba divers each year was among the over 100. Equipment failure is not the only factor. Other contributing factors could include heart disease, environmental hazards, or an inadvertent response. While equipment failure is rarely the cause of death, it can be an important factor. In general, over 80% of these deaths are attributed to drowning, which obscures the true cause. Even though most scuba divers have plenty of breathing gas available at all times, accidents can still happen. Divers may drown due to a number of factors, including cardiac disease or unmanageable stress.
A case in point is an older diver with ischaemic cardiovascular disease. While asthmatics may be prohibited from diving, only two to 3 percent of all scuba divers are affected. 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 are known as "precursor incidents." They may be minor or significant. With proper training, sound diving practices and the right equipment, most fatalities are preventable. However, even with proper training and sound diving practices, there are still hazards to diving. Not only is there the danger of drowning but diving companies must also adhere to local and federal laws.
Insufficient gas and entanglement are the most common causes of fatal accidents. Insufficient time for decompression was the next most serious. Diving can be dangerous and even fatal if the diver has not had enough experience or training. A recent study showed that nearly half of fatalities were the result of improper decompression stops and buoyancy issues. Insufficient gas or entrapment are 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.