| One of the main culprits of scuba diving tragedies | | | | exhausts that may have been integrated with |
| involves the latent toxicity of breathing gases that | | | | breathing gases in the air tank. Following standard |
| would take its toll on the scuba diver's body upon | | | | safety procedures in the servicing of compressors |
| reaching dangerous levels. The following are just a | | | | and refilling of air cylinders is a must to avoid any |
| few of the common health risks that may arise in | | | | instance of fatal poisoning from the gas. |
| the uptake of compressed air from an open circuit | | | | Nitrogen Narcosis. The condition arises from the |
| scuba set and corresponding preventive measures | | | | heightened uptake of nitrogen in the blood and bodily |
| that should be implemented to guarantee a safe dive. | | | | tissues, at the rate of abnormal partial pressures. At |
| Oxygen Toxicity Syndrome. The condition transpires | | | | a certain depth, a scuba diver may fleetingly |
| when there is an excess concentration of oxygen in | | | | encounter a certain kind of high (more like tipsy |
| bodily tissues to therefore cause significant cell | | | | when drunk) which could progress into serious lung |
| damage. This typically manifests at a certain depth | | | | complications. To prevent nitrogen narcosis, the diver |
| where the partial pressure of oxygen in the body | | | | needs to be learned on the application of breathing |
| escalates to abnormal levels. Symptoms that come | | | | gases and to which diving profile these are fit for |
| about with the syndrome include unconsciousness | | | | use. Trimix gases are applicable for use when cruising |
| and convulsions. To avoid its occurrence, scuba divers | | | | technical diving depths. |
| should submit to Nitrox training to become technically | | | | Gas embolism. The medical conditionis an offshoot of |
| adept with the application of breathing gas mixtures, | | | | the presence of gas bubbles in the bloodstream, |
| get certified for the skill and master the use of | | | | particularly when toxic levels are reached. This can |
| related equipment as well, particularly the functionality | | | | put forth severe damage to the blood vessels and |
| of a rebreather. | | | | eventually trigger complications while the diver is |
| Carbon Monoxide Poisoning. Carbon monoxide is one | | | | submerged underwater. The uptake of proper |
| of the most dangerous types of toxins that could | | | | breathing techniques in the use of scuba equipment |
| gradually impair the functions of the nervous system. | | | | will promote a balanced flow of gases in and out of |
| The toxic gas arises in the form of combustion | | | | the body. |