Dive Physiology

And
Medical Aspects
Underwater Physiology
Respiration
Effects of heat and cold
Barotrauma
Pressure related problems
Direct
Indirect
 Respiration
The breathing cycle
Oxygen consumption
Carbon dioxide
Breath holding
Hypoxia
hypercapnia/hypocapnia
Carbon monoxide poisoning
 Respiration

Respiration
The Process
Movement of air into Transport of oxygen
and out of the lungs to the cells and removal Approx. 5% Oxygen
Consumed
of carbon dioxide
Aorta Pulmonary Artery
Carbon Dioxide
Mouth, Nose, Increases 5%
Throat O2 CO2 Lungs
Shallow Water Blackout
Bronchioles
Trachea
O2
Caused by Excessive
CO2
Pulmonary Hyperventilation
Bronchi Vein
Capillaries
Lungs
Alveoli Heart Skip Breathing Causes
Vena Cava Hypercapnia
Diaphragm
Air with Less Than 10%
Hemoglobin Molecules O2 at 1atma Will Not
Air Must Pass Through in Red Blood Cells Support Consciousness
Dead Spaces Carry Oxygen
 Effects of Heat and Cold
Heat injuries (hyperthermia)
cramps
exhaustion
stroke
Cold injuries (hypothermia)
Decreased body functions
Decreased mental functions
Shivering, numbness
Related protection requirements
 Temperature Injuries

Temperature Injuries
Progressive Symptoms and Effects

Heat Cold
- Cramps - Hypothermia
- Exhaustion
- Stroke Uncontrolled Shivering
Loss of Coord/Dexterity
Profuse Sweating Numbness
Weakness
Malaise Warm Victim
Dry, Flushed Skin No Caffeine
No Alcohol
Cool Victim
Oral Fluids
No Caffeine/Alcohol
Pressure Related Problems
(direct)
Descent (squeezes) Ascent (expansion)
Ears Air embolism
Sinuses
Pneumothorax
Mask
Thoracic Mediastinal
Emphysema
Teeth
Stomach/Intestines Subcutaneous
Suit Emphysema
Pressure Related Problems
(indirect)
Decompression sickness
Nitrogen partial pressures
Solubility
Nitrogen narcosis
Oxygen toxicity
 Nitrogen narcosis

Nitrogen Narcosis
Rapture of the Deep - Martinis Law

SURFACE

Thinking and
Judgment Symptoms and Effects on
POTENTIALLY
75-100 Individual Diver Vary
Affected With Depth and Exposure.

Communication, 150-175
Motor and Mental
Tasks IMPAIRED

NOT IN CONTROL 200+

 Barotrauma
Direct Pressure Indirect Pressure
Related Problems Related Problems
- Descent (Compression) - Decompression Sickness Descend and Ascend
Squeezes (The Bends) (DCS) Slowly to Minimize
Potential Problems
Ear, Sinus, Lung,
Stomach, Intestinal, - Nitrogen Narcosis
Tooth, Equipment
- Oxygen Toxicity
- Ascent (Expansion)

Lung Ruptures -
Subcutaneous and Precautionary
Mediastinal Emphysema
Pneumothorax Decompression Stops
(Safety Stops) Help
Air Embolism NEVER HOLD YOUR Reduce Bubble Formation
BREATH ON SCUBA! and Incidence of DCS
 Physiology Summary

Physiology Summary

Respiration is Mechanical Barotrauma - Pressure Injury

- Oxygen-Carbon Dioxide Exchange - Direct
- Slow Deep Breathing Subcutaneous Emphysema
Mediastinal Emphysema
Pneumothorax
Air Embolism
- Indirect
Proper Exposure Protection is
DCS (the Bends)
Required to Avoid Hypothermia Nitrogen Narcosis
Oxygen Toxicity