Broken bones healed
I fractured my wrist in an accident on my bicycle last week, and my doctor splinted it with a waterproof cast. I’m leaving on a dive trip this weekend. What issues should I be concerned about when diving?
A: Diving is not recommended with any fracture regardless of the type of cast. “Waterproof” is a misconception — there isn’t a cast that is truly 100 percent waterproof. Your doctor provided a cast that is approved for showering, bathing and even swimming if done in moderation. Moist skin can become irritated under a cast, causing superficial breaks. The risk of developing an infection from treated or chlorinated water is low, but never zero.
Opportunistic micro-organisms in salt water and untreated water from sources such as lakes, rivers and quarries exponentially increase the risk for infection. Additional concerns include the decreased functional capacity of the hand and increased risk of further damage from donning and doffing heavy gear and climbing up and down swim ladders. Once the healing is complete and your physician releases you for full and unrestricted activity, diving is not an issue.
— Lana Sorrell, EMT, DMT
A: Diving is not recommended with any fracture regardless of the type of cast. “Waterproof” is a misconception — there isn’t a cast that is truly 100 percent waterproof. Your doctor provided a cast that is approved for showering, bathing and even swimming if done in moderation. Moist skin can become irritated under a cast, causing superficial breaks. The risk of developing an infection from treated or chlorinated water is low, but never zero.
Opportunistic micro-organisms in salt water and untreated water from sources such as lakes, rivers and quarries exponentially increase the risk for infection. Additional concerns include the decreased functional capacity of the hand and increased risk of further damage from donning and doffing heavy gear and climbing up and down swim ladders. Once the healing is complete and your physician releases you for full and unrestricted activity, diving is not an issue.
— Lana Sorrell, EMT, DMT
Posted in Alert Diver Fall Editions, Dive Safety FAQ
Posted in Broken bones, health, Fitness to dive, Bone fractures, micro-organisims
Posted in Broken bones, health, Fitness to dive, Bone fractures, micro-organisims
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