Diving Injuries

Pressure injury can occur in the enclosed cavity body spaces of the middle ear, sinuses and lungs. Barotrauma typically occurs to air spaces within a body when that body moves to or from a higher pressure environment.

Decompression sickness diving injury, otherwise known as "the bends," is nitrogen bubble formation in the soft tissues of the body. Recompression in a hyperbaric chamber is the treatment of choice.

The drop in core body temperature can result in a serious health threat for divers and others engaged in water sports. Hypothermia is a condition in which core temperature drops below that required for normal body functions, which is defined as 35.0 °C or 95.0 °F.

Near drowning is a threat for all people engaged in water sports. Complications include acute respiratory distress syndrome, fulminant pneumonia and delayed death. Hospitalization is requisite with application of IV antibiotics and corticosteroids.