Decompression Sickness Flashcards
Review
One way to prevent decompression sickness is to?
A. Fly at high altitudes whenever possible.
B. Open air vents in the aircraft.
C. Fly on an empty stomach.
D. Abstain from alcohol immediately before and after a flight.
D. Abstain from alcohol immediately before and after a flight
If a pilot plans to take a 10 m dive and then fly at a pressure altitude of 6,000 ft, he or she should wait a minimum of how long in between the two activities?
A. 36 hours.
B. 12 hours.
C. 48 hours.
D. 24 hours.
B. 12 hours
Select the correct statement:
A. Decompression sickness is caused by an abnormal presence of nitrogen gas bubbles in the blood and body tissues.
B. Decompression sickness is caused by an abnormal presence of hydrogen gas bubbles in the blood and body tissues.
C. Decompression sickness is caused by an abnormal presence of carbon dioxide gas bubbles in the blood and body tissues.
D. Decompression sickness is caused by an abnormal presence of oxygen gas bubbles in the blood and body tissues.
A. Decompression sickness is caused by an abnormal presence of nitrogen gas bubbles in the blood and body tissues
Explosive decompression can cause hypoxia. Two symptoms of hypoxia are
A. temporary blindness and muscle twitching.
B. blue lips and euphoria.
C. itchy skin and hunger.
D. fever and sweating.
B. blue lips and euphoria
All of the following may be challenges brought on by an explosive decompression EXCEPT
A. both sudden and ongoing noise.
B. particulate matter in the air.
C. projectiles.
D. an increase in temperature.
D. an increase in temperature
All of the following increase the chances of developing decompression sickness EXCEPT
A. dehydration.
B. youth.
C. exertion.
D. high body fat.
B. youth
The treatment for decompression sickness is HBOT, which stands for
A. healing blood oxygen therapy.
B. hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
C. hypoblastic oxygen therapy.
D. holistic bubble oxygen therapy.
B. hyperbaric oxygen therapy
Which of the following should you perform first in case of an explosive decompression?
A. Descend to 10,000 feet.
B. Put on your oxygen mask.
C. Give instructions and assistance to others.
D. Check your restraints.
D. Check your restraints
If you have been scuba diving and intend to go flying above 8,000 feet AMSL soon afterward, what is the minimum safe interval you should wait in between the two activities?
A. 12 hours.
B. 72 hours.
C. 48 hours.
D. 24 hours.
C. 48 hours
Which of the following statements is TRUE of the bends?
A. It is caused by nitrogen bubbles that form in the tissues of the body.
B. It rarely occurs below 30,000 ft AGL.
C. It can be quite serious but is never fatal.
D. It is equally likely to affect pilots and divers.
A. It is caused by nitrogen bubbles that form in the tissues of the body
You are a Second Officer based in Auckland departing on a Boeing 777 bound to Hong Kong. Climbing through 4500 feet the Captain starts to complain of acute pain and itchiness in his left knee joint. The Captain then loses consciousness. You remember the Captain mentioning his recent trip diving in the Marlborough Sounds yesterday. What could his symptoms most likely be attributed to?
A. the bends.
B. hyperventilation.
C. hypoxia.
D. the bends and associated heart attack.
A. the bends
What causes the bends?
A. the formation of nitrogen bubbles in body tissues.
B. inadequate oxygen.
C. only an explosive decompression.
D. joint pain.
A. the formation of nitrogen bubbles in body tissues
Which of the following statements about the bends is TRUE?
A. Wait at least 15 hours after a dive of 10 metres or less before flying.
B. It is caused by too much oxygen in the blood.
C. Wait at least 24 hours after a dive of more than 10 metres before flying.
D. It happens only to divers and pilots.
C. Wait at least 24 hours after a dive of more than 10 metres before flying
You, a flight captain, have just taken off on a commercial flight from New Zealand to Australia. Before takeoff, your second-in-command (2IC) mentions that he has been honeymooning for the past two weeks in Hawaii, right up through yesterday. His adventures included hang gliding, deep-sea diving, and a lot of eating and drinking. During your ascent, your 2IC starts to complain of a sharp pain in his right shoulder. Once you level off, he turns his head and massages his shoulder. You notice a red rash on the back of his neck. The 2IC is most likely suffering from
A. severe dehydration.
B. hypoxia.
C. food poisoning.
D. the bends.
D. the bends
Which of the following is NOT a usual symptom of decompression sickness?
A. joint or muscle pain.
B. coughing.
C. nausea and vomiting.
D. itchy skin.
C. nausea and vomiting
