Exposed to Polluted Water Flashcards
What is defined as any body of water that is suspected of containing
chemical or biological agents in concentrations that could potentially harm an unprotected diver and/or surface support personnel.
Contaminated water
Unless a body of water is known to be clean what must be assumed?
Unless a body of water is known to be clean
What makes a body of water less of concern for comtanimation?
a river or a large body of water that has flow or circulation allowing for removal or dilution of suspected contaminant
In general, most persistent biological and chemical contaminants tend to concentrate where?
in sediment rather than in the water column
Biological contaminants include:
(a) Harmful algal blooms (e.g., red tide),
(b) Bacteria (e.g., fecal coliforms),
(c) Viruses and parasites which could potentially harm an unprotected diver.
Biological contaminants may be present in storm water runoff and pose hazards to divers and to surface support personnel, especially when diving in near shore, urban areas within how long of a storm event?
36 hours
What are the 5 most common water borne bacteria that produce soft tissue infection?
(a) Aeromonas species
(b) Edwardsiella tarda
(c) Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae
(d) Vibrio vulnificus
(e) Mycobacterium marinum
Management of soft tissue infections following water exposure includes:
(a) Assessment to determine whether treatment requires hospitalization
(b) Empiric antibiotic administration, assessment of tetanus vaccination status
(c) Assessment of tetanus vaccination status
(d) Surgical consultation for potential debridement in patients with necrotizing
infections
initial empiric therapy
-Cephalexin (Keflex) 250mg PO QID
-Clindamycin PLUS Levofloxacin
-Metronidazole (Flagyl)
-Doxycycline (100 mg twice daily) for coverage of Vibrio species if seawater
What antibiotic covers suspected Vibrio species? (associated with seawater)
Doxcycline 100 mg Bid
