More Physiology

PADI IDC Theory: Physiology – Decompression Illness

The Basics

Decompression Illness is a blanket term for both Decompression Sickness and Lung overexpansion injury.

What it is

Decompression illness covers a wide range of troubles. Like gas in the bloodstream – nitrogen in the case of decompression sickness – or air (or breathing gas) in the case of an embolism.
It also covers various burst lung injuries.
However, regardless of the cause, symtoms tend to be similar, and first aid treatment is the same for all. Oxygen, and medical assistance.

This might help

Lung over expansion Injury
The symptoms for Lung overexpansion injury often appear as soon as the diver reaches the surface. It’s not surprising really if the diver has a burst lung!

Decompression Sickness
Decompression Sickness symptoms often take a while to manifest. Bubbles in the blood trying to escape often cause a skin rash, or pain in joints. However, if the bubbles interfere with the nervous system, then neurological symptoms might occur, like headache, numbness, tingling or even death.

PADI IDC Theory: Physiology – Respiration

The Basics

Breathing is really about two gasses. Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide.
Of course Oxygen is important for life, and carbon dioxide is the waste product of metabolism. Keeping an eye out for carbon dioxide build up in student diver’s lungs is of utmost importance to a PADI instructor

This might help.

Overexertion, shallow breathing, hyperventilation and panic can all cause a diver to build up carbon dioxide in their lungs.

We all know how uncomfortable that is. The way that it causes a slight panic and a feeling that we aren’t getting enough air.

There are plenty of questions about this on PADI exams.

In the real world it’s important that divers breathe correctly to make sure that carbon dioxide is expelled.

Practice Exams – Theory and Standards

Buy the complete IDC revision packs that now include lots more (12 in total) practice exams, the exams include all the questions and answers you will need to revise to PASS the PADI IDC