Essoufflement
| Classification according to ICD-10 | |
|---|---|
| R06.4 | Hyperventilation |
| ICD-10 online (WHO version 2019) | |
As Essoufflement (fr. Breathlessness, shortness of breath) is a frequently when diving designated occurring disorder that ultimately a Kohlenstoffdioxidvergiftung leads and serious disorders up to unconsciousness may lead.
root cause
The breathing resistance increases depending on the diving depth (increased ambient pressure ) and, if necessary, a diving suit that is too tight . The diver has to work harder to get enough oxygen . This causes the respiratory muscles to tire and the breathing becomes shallower. The body reacts to increased exertion with an increased breathing rate and the diver falls into tachypnea . Due to the increasing respiratory rate with a simultaneous shallower breathing, carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) can no longer be completely exhaled. Carbon dioxide is the component of the air that triggers or intensifies the breathing stimulus. The breathing shifts more and more into the area of the inspiratory reserve volume , i.e. into the area that lies between normal and deep breathing. The oxygen uptake is reduced, at the same time the CO 2 concentration ( hypercapnia ) in the blood increases and the pH value of the blood decreases. Symptoms of poisoning occur: headaches, hunger for air, dizziness, nausea and clouding of consciousness, finally unconsciousness, which can lead to death under water without appropriate rescue measures.
The following influencing factors can promote essoufflement:
- great diving depth
- too tight a wetsuit
- poorly adjusted, maintained or defective regulators
- not sufficiently open cylinder valves
- great physical exertion, e.g. B. by flow
- Panic reaction or anxiety
- cold
Symptoms
- Air hunger
- Air cannot be held for a few seconds
- significantly increased breathing rate
- a headache
- dizziness
- nausea
- unconsciousness
Countermeasures
Occurring Essoufflement can only be recognized if both diving partners pay attention to each other. Inexperienced and untrained divers in particular must be accompanied and observed very closely. Divers have a special symbol for this situation with which they can indicate this situation: “Out of breath”.
In order to counteract the izziness during the dive , it helps to reduce physical exertion or psychologically stressful parameters, in particular to reduce the pace, reduce the depth in a controlled manner, let the buddy calm you down and exhale deeply. If the situation does not improve, the dive should be stopped in a controlled manner.
Back on land, the effects can be reduced by resting in a supine position and breathing with an exhale.
Preventive measures
In addition to fully functional diving equipment that is adapted to the circumstances, the most precise preparation and planning possible for each dive is the most important measure to prevent essoufflement. Special attention should be paid to all stress factors such as strong currents, cold or darkness. A detailed briefing before the dive also helps to avoid stress and unnecessary exertion during the dive.
See also
Individual evidence
- ↑ Claus-Martin Muth: Essoufflement ( Memento of the original from April 2, 2015 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. . German Life Saving Society, Landesverband Westfalen e. V., PDF
- ↑ a b c Thomas Kromp , Hans J. Roggenbach , Peter Bredebusch : Practice of diving . 3. Edition. Delius Klasing Verlag, Bielefeld 2008, ISBN 978-3-7688-1816-2 , p. 134 .
- ↑ a b Essoufflement ( Memento of the original from March 4, 2016 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. , December 29, 1999, 2000 HTSV, PDF
