Altitude sickness and DCS
My 15-year-old son is interested in scuba diving. While vacationing in a mountain range two years ago, he developed altitude sickness. He was treated quickly, recovered well and has had no problems since. An experienced diver told me that my son could be more prone to decompression sickness because he has had altitude sickness. Is he really at greater risk?
The short answer is no. The physics of being at altitude and being at depth are opposite each other. Exposures to less atmospheric pressure, such as being in the mountains, affect human physiology differently than when exposed to increased atmospheric pressure, such as with diving. There is no connection between the two illnesses. If your son is physically fit and healthy, there is no reason for him to be more concerned with decompression sickness than any other diver.
— Marty McCafferty, EMT-P, DMT
© Alert Diver — Q3 Summer 2018
The short answer is no. The physics of being at altitude and being at depth are opposite each other. Exposures to less atmospheric pressure, such as being in the mountains, affect human physiology differently than when exposed to increased atmospheric pressure, such as with diving. There is no connection between the two illnesses. If your son is physically fit and healthy, there is no reason for him to be more concerned with decompression sickness than any other diver.
— Marty McCafferty, EMT-P, DMT
© Alert Diver — Q3 Summer 2018
Posted in Alert Diver Summer Editions
Posted in Scuba children, Diving Kids, Altitude sickness, More pressure
Posted in Scuba children, Diving Kids, Altitude sickness, More pressure
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