Explore All Possibilities

Symptoms do not always point to just one definite cause, so it is often just as important to continue listening to the patient and exploring options that might not be immediately apparent.

Bald person gets a medical scan.

A Free-Flowing Failure

Contrary to what you might expect, air will escape from a low-pressure hose faster than from a high-pressure hose because of the low-pressure hose’s wider opening.

Contrary to what you might expect, air will escape from a low-pressure hose (left) faster than from a high-pressure hose (right) because of the low-pressure hose’s wider opening.

Left at Sea

When diving offshore, always carry emergency signaling devices such as a surface marker buoy, signal mirror and emergency strobe.

A group of divers pose in the water. They are holding an emergency signaling device.

An Unexpected Earplug

Ear barotrauma (pressure-related injury) usually occurs in divers’ middle ears, often as a result of congestion. In this unusual case, however, a diver experienced ear barotrauma that resulted from accumulation of ear wax in his ear canal.

A doctor inspects a man's right ear

Every Breath Closer to Death

I have been a fossil geek my entire life. In 2012 I moved to Charleston, South Carolina, and in the past 10 years I was able to turn a hobby into a living. Scuba diving for megalodon teeth in the nearby fossil-laden rivers, such as Cooper River, seemed like the most logical step seven years ago, and I haven’t looked back since then.

blank

Practice What You Preach

All diving has risks. To mitigate them, we must always pay attention to the details. The predive safety check is of utmost importance to help avoid a dive accident. The key elements are for each buddy to check the other’s BCD, weights, releases and air, and then give a final check and decisive OK. I could have avoided the entire incident had I adhered to my predive safety check and not gotten distracted, and I should have performed the safety check again before getting in the water.

A diver with camera gear photographs a manta ray.

Sea Lion Bite

Although uncommon, unprovoked sea lion bites can occur, and divers should be aware of the potential hazard. Learn more about how one diver received a bite and how the wound was treated.

A sea lion swims with its mouth open

If You Can’t Equalize, Abort

Read one diver’s story about how a routine dive resulted in vomiting and other uncomfortable symptoms.

A male and female diver each give the camera the OK sign

Thirteen-Foot Dive

A young diver performed a shallow dive and later ascended very rapidly. Symptoms were severe but were not decompression sickness. Learn more about the incident.

Female diver next to tower of orange coral

Self-Aware and Prepared

This incident can serve to remind all divers of the importance of self-awareness and having an emergency action plan. It is crucial to be mindful when considering symptoms. Read more.

Man sits in a car wearing oxygen mask