Not forgetting the more important reasons for getting DCS.
The main one being diver error… Below some points to remember. Diving is a very safe sport as long as you look after yourself and your buddy..
Too many deep dives in one day. Stagger your dives from the deepest in the morning through to shallow in the afternoon.
Staying within table and computer limits.
Longer surface intervals and making safety stops after every dive.
S.A.F.E. Slowly Ascend From Every dive..
AGE. As you age, your circulatory system becomes less efficient, affecting nitrogen elimination. Some people also tend to gain weight and have more fat tissue.
FAT. Nitrogen dissolves easily into fat tissues. Individuals with a larger ratio of fat to body weight may absorb more nitrogen than normal when diving.
Heavy Exertion. Exertion during or after a dive increases the heart rate and affects circulation, and therefore nitrogen absorption and elimination.
Injuries and Illness. Both can affect local circulation and the body’s ability to handle excess nitrogen. Chest congestion can trap air in a lung or portion of a lung, creating the same condition as holding your breath.
Dehydration. Dehydration reduces the quantity of blood available to help carry off excess nitrogen.
Alcohol. Alcohol before or immediately after a dive accelerates and alters circulation. It also contributes to dehydration.
Cold Water. Diving in cold water can cause your extremities to receive less circulation as they cool, which affects nitrogen elimination.
Hot Showers/Baths. Hot showers and baths after a dive cause the skin capillaries to dilate, drawing blood away from other areas. These areas will eliminate nitrogen more slowly, while the skin experiences higher than normal circulation.
Carbon Dioxide Increase. Improper breathing and breath holding while scuba diving can cause carbon dioxide builds up in the blood, lung overexpansion injuries, and interfere with nitrogen elimination.
Flying after diving is another important thing that should not be forgotten towards the end of you trip.
For just one dive a preflight surface interval of 12 hours is recommended. For multiple dives over several days an 18 hour interval is recommended… For conservatism.. 24 hours is still the best way to be safe and symptom free..
Be a safe diver, dive conservatively.. ENJOY the underwater world..
DCS Signs and Symptoms.
As nitrogen bubbles can form in many places in your body, therefore signs and symptoms can vary to some degree.
Symptoms include.
Unusual fatigue or weakness
Skin itch
Pain in arms, legs (joints or mid-limb) or torso
Dizziness and vertigo
Local numbness, tingling or paralysis
Shortness of breath and/or pain breathing
Signs include.
Blotchy skin rash
A tendency to favor an arm or leg, rubbing a joint.
Staggering
Coughing spasms
Collapse
Unconsciousness.