Impaired consciousness when scuba diving associated with vasovagal syncope

(Wilmshurst P, Clamp M. Impaired consciousness when scuba diving associated with vasovagal syncope. Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine. 2020 December 20;50(4):421–423. doi: 10.28920/dhm50.4.421-423. PMID: 33325026.) Introduction: Drowning is likely to result from impairment of consciousness when scuba diving. Causes include toxic effects of breathing gas, including nitrogen narcosis and oxygen toxicity, and arterial gas embolism. Methods: Review of the medical records of scuba divers who had impaired consciousness underwater that could not be attributed to toxic effects of breathing gas or arterial gas embolism. Results: Four scuba divers had episodes of impaired consciousness when at shallow depths (8−18 m) underwater. The descriptions of the episodes were very similar. Three had histories of recurrent episodes of vasovagal syncope on land. Conclusions: Absence of other causes for their impaired consciousness underwater leads to the conclusion that the probable cause was vasovagal syncope.

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Decompression Sickness and Arterial Gas Embolism in Sports Scuba Divers

Sports Medicine ◽

10.2165/00007256-198908010-00004 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. 32-42 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Desmond F. Gorman

Keyword(s):

Decompression Sickness ◽

Gas Embolism ◽

Scuba Divers ◽

Arterial Gas Embolism

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Diagnosis of arterial gas embolism in SCUBA diving: modification suggestion of autopsy techniques and experience in eight cases

Forensic Science Medicine and Pathology ◽

10.1007/s12024-018-9951-4 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

pp. 18-25 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Josep M. Casadesús ◽

Fernando Aguirre ◽

Ana Carrera ◽

Pere Boadas-Vaello ◽

Maria T. Serrando ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Scuba Diving ◽

Gas Embolism ◽

Arterial Gas Embolism

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Diving medical officers as hospitalists: a case of arterial gas embolism following a routine GI procedure

Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine ◽

10.22462/10.12.2020.11 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 621-624

Author(s):

Stephen M. Hughes ◽

◽

Joni Hodgson ◽

Michael F. Richards ◽

◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rare Complication ◽

Military Medicine ◽

Hospital Setting ◽

Hospital Environment ◽

Neurological Deficits ◽

Gas Embolism ◽

Arterial Gas Embolism ◽

Diving Medicine ◽

Hyperbaric Medicine ◽

Medicine Team

Arterial gas embolism is a well-described and frequently seen injury encountered in both civilian and military diving operations. It is becoming increasingly reported and potentially increasingly more common in the hospital environment as a complication of more frequent gastroenterology procedures. We present a case of a 49-year-old, active-duty female who developed significant left-sided neurological deficits manifesting as diffuse left-sided weakness, subjective confusion, and severe headache following esophagogastroduodenoscopy. With increased clinical suspicion for arterial gas embolism, the patient was evaluated by the hyperbaric medicine team at our facility and subsequently treated to near-resolution of symptoms by multiple hyperbaric oxygen treatments. This case highlights the importance of considering this rare complication during or following common invasive procedures. Furthermore, the unique training and experience of physicians with expertise in diving medicine and their ability to recognize these types of injury in the hospital setting highlights the importance of continued training in these fields within Military Medicine in addition to civilian Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine fellowships.

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Decompression Sickness in Women Recreational Scuba Divers

Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal ◽

10.1123/wspaj.8.1.47 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. 47-54

Author(s):

Jacalyn J. Robert

Keyword(s):

High Altitude ◽

Decompression Sickness ◽

Scuba Diving ◽

Training Center ◽

Men And Women ◽

Recreational Sport ◽

Scuba Divers ◽

Hyperbaric Environment ◽

Recreational Scuba

Recreational sport diving is becoming an increasingly popular sport for women. Women now comprise approximately 25% of the diving community according to Divers Alert Network statistics. In the diving literature it has been stated that women are at a greater risk for decompression sickness than men. Most of these statements were derived from high-altitude (hypobaric environment) studies rather than from a scuba diving (hyperbaric) environment. Data from the naval diving and salvage training center were analyzed, and it was found that women are not more susceptible to decompression sickness than men during dives between 4 and 10 atmospheres. More specific studies on sport diving should be completed on factors contributing to underwater decompression sickness in both men and women.

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