People expect recreational diving to be an enjoyable experience of adventure and fun. Divers are explorers and retain a sense of optimism regardless of how many dives they have done. While we dive with great expectations, incidents do occur — often when we least expect them.
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.
Ensure your dive shop has properly trained and certified technicians. One couple dealt with a terrible ordeal because their scuba cylinders were improperly checked. Read more about the incident.
With adverse events, there is almost always a cascade in four phases: the trigger, the disabling agent, the disabling injury and the cause of death. Individually, each event is avoidable. Recognizing one at the time of occurrence is an opportunity to react and attempt to mitigate the risk before it becomes a problem. In root cause analysis of adverse events, the most significant factors are the lack of recognition and failure to react to the event.
Have you ever asked yourself, “What is my biggest fear in diving?” My fear has always been getting lost at sea. I am a technical diving instructor with almost 4,000 dives, and I’ve done plenty of boating, drift diving, and dealing with current.
During a dive in the Solomon Islands, this diver’s regulator failed, shutting off her gas supply. Although gear failures are usually associated with improper maintenance or use, manufacturing defects are possible.
Adaptability to conditions is a must-have skill for any diver. Evaluating the appropriate dive gear and competency with basic safety protocols allow you the presence of mind to handle capricious weather.
Do you fully understand and appreciate your role as a dive buddy? Read one woman’s story about the importance of accountability after nearly injuring her future husband.
Decompression sickness and other dive-related injuries should be treated as soon as possible, so it is important to see a medical professional. Any symptoms after a dive, whether you suspect they are dive related or not, should be evaluated.
Divers who are new to drysuits need to take time to get comfortable with their gear in a safe environment. Accidents are unintentional and unplanned, but proper diligence can help increase the likelihood of a safe and successful dive.
