What are the Dangers of Scuba Diving?
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Scuba diving offers a wonderful way to view the intriguing underworld of any ocean or lake. To be a competent scuba diver, one should take a scuba certification class offered at a wide array of diving schools worldwide. Scuba certification classes can help newcomers to the sport prepare for the dangers they may encounter. Advanced certification classes are also available to help experienced divers to continue to gain more scuba diving knowledge and experience. Scuba dives should never dive alone and they should always make certain their gauges, tanks, and other equipment are functioning properly.
The average person may think that sharks and other large fish might present a clear and present danger for scuba divers. To the contrary, sharks and other large fish account for almost none of the 100 scuba deaths that occur each year, according to the Diver's Alert Network. Most shark attacks occur when the victims are standing or swimming in water close to the shore.
The greater concern for the perils associated with scuba come into play if someone has not been properly trained or certified. Such a person may ascend too quickly to the water's surface, resulting in the dreaded condition known as the bends, a decompression sickness with effects that can range from discomfort and vomiting to paralysis and even death.
Most diving injuries pertain to ear problems and sinus problems. When a person experiences middle ear pain and discomfort due to the pressure changes inherent in scuba diving, doctors refer to this as a "squeeze." Other typical injuries affiliated with scuba diving are cuts and scrapes from fish, coral, and shipwrecks.
The American Academy of Family Physicians offers these additional tips for safe diving:
- Gently equalize your ears and mask as you descend.
- Never hold your breath while ascending. Always ascend slowly while breathing normally.
- Always dive with a buddy.
- Never drink alcohol before a dive.
- If you're taking medication, check with a doctor before diving.
- Also consult your doctor if you have any medical conditions.
- Don't fly for 12 hours after a no-decompression dive, 24 hours if your dive required decompression stops.
- If you don't feel well or are in any kind of pain after your dive, get to the nearest emergency room.
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8
how do you know you're swimming to surface if you forget which way? - anon56404
5
the most dangerous part of diving is human error and inexperience. not inspecting your kit and having a fault underwater, ascending too quickly from too deep and causing lung over expansion injuries and decompression sickness. running out of air and not being in a reachable distance of your buddy resulting and an emergency ascent, hypothermia. all these things are taught to you when you go for a qualification, and you're taught how to avoid situations. diving is one of the safest sports as long as you take in what you have been taught and apply it when you dive. if you think you're above physics then dont dive. you have to fill out medical forms before you even learn to eliminate potential risks, you dont pass you dont dive. the animals will leave you alone if you leave them alone. general rule of diving is look dont touch, this incudes corals and such as those can also cause you irritation. you get oriented at a site before you dive so you know what to expect. as long as you follow what you learned you'll be absolutely fine. as said before the only real issue for divers is human error. if you plan properly you take that from the equation. pretty much every situation has been covered by your tutors and you will know how to handle situations not only when they arise but in some cases before they arise. - anon37443
4
Well you could touch a clear small box jelly fish. You could touch a Crown of thorns, which is a starfish. So....keep your hands to yourself. There is also a chance of having an air embolism, which also will kill you. Running out of air. Getting lost or disoriented. Just not being trained to dive can pretty much kill you. So get good training and always ask what is in the waters you are about to dive in. - sunshinszy
3
That cant be all the dangers there are. More info please! - anon20038
2
that's not enough danger for you? ;-) - sourappleblowpop
1
what are the real dangers of scuba diving? i know that there are a lot of harmful plants and animals and you can always run out of air or something could have a leak or something can blow up but what other things are there? - anon11026
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Source: Diver's Alert Network
Written by
D Frank
Last Modified: 14 December 2009
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