Can diving hurt your neck?
Scuba diving-related injuries in the head and neck are extremely common, and account for 80% of all diving injuries. Approximately 35% of all dive-related head and neck complications occur in rhinologic and oral maxillofacial sub-sites. Nearly all aquatic spinal injuries occur in the neck area. This is most often due to impact of the head on a hard surface such as the pool floor, or even the water itself if diving from a height.Spinal injuries are a serious problem in the water, usually associated with diving head first and hitting the bottom. Spinal injury, perhaps more than any other trauma injury, can have severe lifelong consequences for the victim, parents, friends, and even rescuers, but most SPINAL INJURIES ARE PREVENTABLE.One of the main symptoms of a cervical spine disorder is neck pain. You may also have pain in the head, jaw, shoulders, arms, or legs, as well as numbness and weakness. Other problems include impaired coordination or balance, difficulty breathing, or loss of bowel and bladder control.This strain can, in turn, cause a pain that is often referred to as ‘swimmer’s neck’, which may manifest as any of the following: A constant dull ache or sharp pain across, or on one side of, the neck. Restricted movement, such as being unable to look over your shoulder. Headaches.What are Red Flags for Neck Pain? Seek immediate medical care if neck pain is associated with the following symptoms: Severe pain. Tingling, numbness or weakness in arm, shoulder or hands.
What is the most common injury in scuba diving?
The most common injury in divers is middle ear barotrauma, or middle ear squeeze (Box 3. The most common dive-specific injuries include barotrauma and decompression illness in scuba diving and hypoxic blackout in breath-hold diving. Barotrauma may occur during rapid depth change.The most common injury in divers is middle ear barotrauma, or middle ear squeeze (Box 3. On descent, failure to equalize pressure changes within the middle ear space creates a pressure gradient across the eardrum.Scuba diving and air travel are common causes of ear barotrauma. This condition occurs when there is also a problem with your eustachian tubes. Symptoms can include ear pain, ear pressure, ringing in the ears, dizziness, ear bleeding, and hearing loss. Symptoms are often short-term (temporary).
Where do most spinal injuries occur in water?
Spinal injuries can occur in the water, typically when a person’s head has collided with a hard surface (for example, diving into shallow water). Most aquatic spinal injuries occur in the area of the neck due to the bending of the neck on impact (flexion). If your neck continues to ache after swimming, take a break from the water and allow your neck and vertebrae time to rest and relax. You can also vary your strokes until you are more comfortable in the water. It is a good investment to have a swim coach evaluate your strokes and make suggestions.Repetitive extension of the neck on water entry can cause an irritation of the neck joints. This results in muscle spasms and stiffness when rotating the neck or looking up. Athletes with tingling or burning down the arm may have a cervical disc herniation or stinger and should see a doctor.
What is the danger shallow diving?
The Dangers of Shallow Water Diving You can lose consciousness, struggle with buoyancy, or face strong currents. If you don’t know these risks, accidents can happen fast. Never hold your breath. This is undoubtedly by far the most crucial of all safety rules for diving because failure to adhere could result in fatality. If you hold your breath underwater at the depths at which scuba divers reach then the fluctuating pressure of air in your lungs can rupture the lung walls.Diving too deep or for too long can result in serious health issues like decompression sickness, oxygen toxicity, and nitrogen narcosis.It’s mainly for recreational divers using air, not Nitrox or other fancy gas mixes. Here’s how it works: Your max depth (in feet) + your bottom time (in minutes) should be less than or equal to 120. That’s it. So if you plan to dive to 60 feet, the rule says you shouldn’t stay down longer than 60 minutes.
What kind of spinal injury is diving headfirst into a shallow pool?
Shallow water diving-related spinal cord injuries (SCIs) are a significant cause of cervical spine trauma, particularly in younger individuals. Hospitalization occurred in 37% of the victims. The prevalence of C-spine injury among submersion victims was 0.