Introduction to scuba diving.

Abstract

an analysis of 143 fatalities for 1970 and 132 fatal accidents in 1971 involving scuba or skin diving activity by U.S. Citizens. Injury within immediate medical cognizance arises chiefly from too rapid ascent (aeroembolism, decompression sickness); indirectly from cold, hypoxia, nitrogen narcosis, vertigo, disorientation, and traumatic and animate marine hazards. In closed breathing systems, there may be inadequate ventilation, carbon dioxide excess, and with oxygen inhalation and exercise at depths, incapacitation. Mishaps are caused by inexperience and inadequate training, particularly in the period of transition from swimming pool to open waters, by logistic failure (the empty gas bottle, borrowed equipment). The glaring deficiency is lack of on-site recompression chambers coupled with lack of or casual organization to provide emergency and follow-up care. Always in imminent danger of drowning (breathing unnaturally through a mouthpiece with the head surrounded by water) the scuba diver may compound the aqueous environmental hazards by physical impairment, emotional immaturity, and psychic instability. Not infrequent is the obsession to establish new records in depth with diving gear which for the novice should be restricted to ’free’ ascent depths without need for recompression-routinely limited to 60 feet and not greater than 130 feet. The scuba diver within our purview and concern in