Basic Dive Medicine

Question 1

What are alveoli?

Answer 1

Small air sacs at the end of the bronchioles

Question 2

What gas laws are applicable to the gas exchange process in the lungs?

Answer 2

Dalton’s Law (Partial Pressure)

Henry’s Law (Law of Absorption)

Question 3

What direction do arteries carry blood?

Answer 3

Away from the heart

*oxygenated (blue)

Question 4

What direction do veins carry blood?

Answer 4

To the heart

*deoxygenated (red)

Question 5

Where does gas exchange take place?

Answer 5

Capillary Beds

Question 6

What does O2 attach to in the blood?

Answer 6

Hemoglobin

Question 7

What are the 3 main characteristics of CO?

Answer 7

1) Odorless
2) Tastless
3) Colorless

Question 8

What produces CO?

Answer 8

Incomplete Combustion

Question 9

What is the result of CO poisoning in the blood?

Answer 9

It displaces and blocks hemoglobin from picking up O2

Question 10

What is hypoxia?

Answer 10

Lack of O2 to the bodily tissues

Question 11

If O2 falls below what ata will hypoxia symptoms begin to occur on surface?

Answer 11

0.16 ata (16%)

Question 12

What are the symptoms of CO poisoning?

Answer 12

Tiny - Tightness across the head
Headhunters - H/A
Practice - Pounding H/A
Ninja - Nausea
Chicken - Confusion
Voodoo - Vomitting

• unconsciousness may be the first symptom without warning

Question 13

What are the symptoms of Hypoxia?

Answer 13

CILLI WLD (silly world)

Cyanosis
Increase HR & BP
Lack of concentration
Lack of muscle control
Inability to perform difficult task

Weakness
LOC
Drowsiness

Question 14

What is hypercapnia and what causes it?

Answer 14

CO2 Toxicity caused by high levels of CO2 in the tissues

Question 15

What causes Hypercapnia?

Answer 15

1) Skip Breathing
2) Excessive Work at Depth
3) Over-breathing the Rig

Question 16

What are the symptoms of Hypercapnia?

Answer 16

I CHILD

Increased Heart Rate and Respiratory Rate
Confusion
Headache
Inability to concentrate
Loss of consciousness (can be the 1st sx)
Drowsiness

Question 17

What is Nitrogen Narcosis?

Answer 17

A narcotic effect on the CNS due to increased ppN2

Question 18

What are the symptoms of Nitrogen Narcosis?

Answer 18

CLASI

Confusion
Lack of concern for safety
Apparent stupidity
Sense of well being
Impaired judgement

Question 19

At what depth do you generally appearance symptoms of Nitrogen Narcosis?

Answer 19

130 fsw

Question 20

What are the two type of O2 Toxicity?

Answer 20

1) CNS O2 Toxicity

2) Pulmonary O2 Toxicity

Question 21

What must the ppO2 reach to encounter symptoms of CNS O2 Toxicity?

Answer 21

Usually not encountered unless ppO2 reaches or exceeds 1.6 ata

• can experience symptoms as low as 1.3 ata

Question 22

What are the symptoms of CNS O2 Toxicity?

Answer 22

VENTTID-C

Vision - blurred/tunnel
Ears - tinnitus or roaring
Nausea
Twitching/Tingling - facial or extremities
Irritability - change in behavior
Dizziness - clumsiness or incoordination
Convulsions - CAN BE THE 1ST SYMPTOM

Question 23

Below what core body temperature is considered hypothermic?

Answer 23

98 degrees F

Question 24

What causes pulmonary O2 Toxicity?

Answer 24

Long exposures to increased ppO2

Question 25

What are the symptoms of Pulmonary O2 Toxicity?

Answer 25

CBS Coughing Burning Shortness of Breath (dyspnea)

Question 26

Below what temperature of water is a wet suit recommended?

Answer 26

80 degrees F

Question 27

Below what temperature of water is a Variable Volume Dry Suit or Hot Water Suit recommended?

Answer 27

40 degrees F

Question 28

How long after after being off O2 can a O2 hit occur?

Answer 28

1 - 2 min

Question 29

For a near drowning victim should you use the ABC or CAB Method?

Answer 29

ABC Airway Breathing Circulation

Question 30

What is the greatest risk of a near drowning victim after an incident?

Answer 30

Pneumonia

Question 31

Wha are the 3 bones in the middle ear?

Answer 31

1. Malleus (hammer) 2. Incus (anvil) 3. Stapes (stirrup)

Question 32

What connects the middle ear to the back of the throat?

Answer 32

Eustachian Tubes

Question 33

What are the two fibrous windows in the opposite side of the TM (tympanic membrane)

Answer 33

1) Oval Window | 2) Round Window

Question 34

What allows the divers to equalize pressure in the middle ear with the ambient pressure?

Answer 34

Eustachian Tubes

Question 35

What is contained in the inner ear?

Answer 35

1. Cochlea (snail shaped organ of hearing) | 2. Vestibular Apparatus (organ of balance)

Question 36

What is a barotrauma?

Answer 36

Damage to body tissues due to changes in ambient pressure

Question 37

What is needed for a barotrauma?

Answer 37

GRAVE ``` Gas filled space Rigid walls Ambient pressure change Vascular penetration Enclosed space ```

Question 38

What is a barotrauma in descent and ascent called?

Answer 38

``` Squeeze (descent) Reverse Squeeze (ascent) ```

Question 39

What are the types of squeezes?

Answer 39

1) External Ear Squeeze 2) Middle Ear Squeeze *most common 3) Sinus Squeeze/Reverse Squeeze 4) Other

Question 40

What are the two types of Transient Vertigo?

Answer 40

1. Caloric (water temp difference) | 2. Alternobaric (pressure imbalance)

Question 41

What is a POIS?

Answer 41

Pulmonary Overinflation Syndrome; | over expansion of gas trapped in the lungs resulting in alveolar sac rupture

Question 42

What are the six parts of a neurological exam?

Answer 42

1) Mental Status 2) Coordination 3) Motor *strength 4) Cranial Nerves 5) Sensory 6) Deep Tendon Reflexes

Question 43

What is Cutis Marmorata?

Answer 43

Marbling Itching and red/inflamed rash with central cyanotic (bluish) mottling on thorax, abdiomen (trunk) and shoulders