Wilderness Medicine Podcast September 2017 - Wilderness And Environmental Medicine Live
Sep 5, 2017
Neal Pollock, PhD, a leading physiologist in diving medicine, discusses the risks and management of scuba diving injuries, highlighting the dangers of nitrogen narcosis and decompression sickness. Joe Alcock, MD, offers insights on effective sun protection strategies beyond just sunscreen, emphasizing the importance of protective clothing and understanding SPF. David A. Rust, MD, delves into cervical spine management for winter sports, debating helmet removal protocols and injury stabilization techniques that prioritize patient safety in the wilderness.
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Nitrogen Narcosis and Diving Depth
- Nitrogen narcosis causes cognitive impairment under pressure, likened to the effect of alcohol intake increasing with depth.
- Diving depth increases nitrogen partial pressure, which can narcotize the brain and cause decompression sickness.
Preventing Decompression Illness
- Prevent decompression sickness by ascending slowly to allow safe nitrogen off-gassing.
- Avoid fast ascents and breath-holding underwater to reduce lung injury risk, including arterial gas embolism.
Bubble Presence vs. Decompression Sickness
- Presence of vascular bubbles indicates decompression stress but doesn't confirm decompression sickness.
- Absence of bubbles strongly predicts no decompression sickness; treatment is based on symptoms, not bubbles.