Barotrauma and Pressure Injuries Advice
Most divers are familiar with the dangers of not equalizing their ears and sinuses during descents and ascents.
But there are other less common pressure injuries (squeezes) such as a dental barotrauma (Barodontalgia), facial barotrauma and gastrointestinal barotrauma.
> Middle-Ear Barotrauma (MEBT)
> Pulmonary Barotrauma
> Dental Barotrauma
> Facial Barotrauma
> Gastrointestinal Barotrauma
> Sinus Barotrauma
Common Causes of Scuba Barotraumas
Dental Barotrauma
- Caused by air trapped in a tooth cavity beneath a filling or cavity
Dental Barotrauma Symptoms
- Tooth or facial pain
- Bleeding
- Broken tooth
Dental Barotrauma Treatment
- Analgesics as directed
- Dental repair
Facial Barotrauma
- Caused by the failure to equalize pressure inside the mask with the ambient pressure (mask squeeze)
Facial Barotrauma Symptoms
- Tightness on face
- Red or bruised eyes or face
- Change in vision (rare)
Facial Barotrauma Treatment
- Cease diving until the injury has healed
- See a doctor to check for bleeding if a change in vision occurs
- Caused by gas entering the stomach and expanding on ascent (distension)
- Swallowing air
- Equalizing ears when swimming head-down
- Gas produced from certain foods and drinks
Gastrointestinal Barotrauma Symptoms
- Stomach pain and cramps
- Burping and/or flatulence
- Sometimes difficulty breathing
Gastrointestinal Barotrauma Treatment
- Stop the ascent
- Loosen the weight belt and/or BCD straps, if required
- Release the gas and continue the ascent when comfortable
Sinus Barotrauma
- Caused by equalization problems due to nasal congestion or anatomical deformity
Sinus Barotrauma Symptoms
- Facial pain or headache which can occur in the forehead, behind the eyes, in the cheeks or upper teeth
- Pain increases with depth and then ceases; can also occur on ascent
- Blood or mucus from the nose or mouth possible causing a headache
Sinus Barotrauma Treatment
- Analgesics as directed
- Decongestants (An effective decongestant is saline - 1.5ml of salt in 250ml of water at body temperature sniffed up the nose one nostril at a time and then spit out)
- Seek medical advice
- Carotid Sinus Syndrome
Severe Diving Injuries |> Decompression Illness |> Jellyfish and Hydroid Stings |> Divers' Disease 'The Bends' |
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