Knowledge Review Flashcards
Why is oxygen important for life?
Your body uses it to burn fuel (food molecules)
What does the available oxygen of an injured diver change to when using a pocket mask?
17% to 40%
What happens when you use a manually triggered oxygen resuscitator valve on an injured non breathing diver?
Oxygen availability increases to 99%
Why is oxygen used to treat scuba diving maladies?
Increasing the oxygen concentration increases the saturation of oxygen in the blood. The circulation of this hyper-oxygenated blood may increase the chances of survival of damaged tissues or tissues with poor blood supply.
What are the 7 life threatening problems that the use of emergency oxygen helps to make a positive difference in a patients outcome?
Traumatic injury leading to excessive blood loss or airway/breathing interference Shock Cardiac arrest Respiratory arrest Stroke Drowning Decompression illness
A diver suffering from a near drowning incident is not breathing. What mask should you select that will enable you to provide the diver with rescue breaths and supplemental, emergency oxygen?
A pocket mask (resuscitation mask)
What is the most common cause of lung over expansion injuries?
Breath holding during the ascent whilst scuba-diving
What is the most common cause of decompression sickness?
After a rapid descent or when divers failed to use their dive computers or tables conservatively
What is meant by decompression illness?
It is the term used to describe to diving maladies. Lung over expansion injuries and decompression sickness.
What are 15 possible signs or symptoms of decompression illness
Joint pain Fatigue Inability to urinate Blurred vision, vertigo, hearing or speech impairment Paralysis Loss of sensation Unconsciousness Breathing difficulties Chest pains Uncontrollable coughing Death Personality changes Shock Cyanosis Neck swelling
Why should a diver with suspected decompression illness be treated whilst lying down?
Because field experience has shown that some divers symptoms worsened significantly after sitting up or standing. Lying down assists bloodflow to the brain and minimises bubbles migrating to the brain.
Why should a diver suspected of having decompression illness always be transported as soon as possible to the nearest medical facility?
Emergency care and first-aid only reduces or eliminates symptoms it doesn’t actually treat the cause. Only advanced medical care of drug administration and hyperbaric treatment in a compression chamber can treat it.
Why are nonrebreather mask is often used to treat injured scuba-divers?
They are excellent for delivering between 80-100% oxygen. Exhaled Air (Low oxygen concentration) is dumped out of the mask.
Why are demand inhalator valves the first choice in treating injured, breathing divers
They are the easiest and fastest way to deliver 100% emergency oxygen.
What is the general maintenance of all emergency oxygen equipment?
They must undergo periodic high pressure testing (5-10 years)
Disinfect and rinse all non disposable masks before storage
Secure spare sealing gaskets/washers from regulators
Check cylinder for need of refill
