Experienced Scuba Diving Accident Lawyer in Honolulu, HI

Causes of Scuba Diving Accidents

• Rapid ascent: Ascending too quickly can cause nitrogen to form small bubbles in body tissues, a serious and life-threatening medical condition.
• Lack of buoyancy control: Controlling the degree to which a diver floats or sinks is key to safety. Failing to control an ascent through trained techniques can lead to diving injury.
• Defective equipment: Poor equipment design, inadequate inspection before use, or choosing to use faulty equipment.
• Inadequate training: Guides and divers alike should have adequate knowledge of safe diving procedures, including monitoring gauges, using the buddy system, and avoiding caves or wrecks if they are not adequately skilled.
• Lack of monitoring: Divers should be adequately monitored during diving activities.
• Poor response training: Divers should be trained to handle potentially dangerous situations. They must be taught to avoid panic reactions.
• Entanglement: Successful deployment of a Delayed Surface Marker Buoy (DSMB) avoids entanglement that may pull the diver to the surface.
• Descending too deep: Diving too deep can result in nitrogen narcosis. The effect may be poor judgment and confusion.
• Personal health: A person must be healthy enough to dive. Many things in diving may trigger a coronary event, including exercise, stress, cold, and hyperbaric gases.
• Boating and motor vehicle accidents: Someone participating with a tour company may be involved in a boating or motor vehicle accident during the experience.
• Marine life: Divers may be injured by a marine animal attack. Harm may result from bleeding, venom, and internal damage.
• Collisions underwater: Underwater collisions can cause injury to divers.

Common Scuba Diving Injuries

It’s essential to understand common injuries that can occur so you can dive safely. Here’s a rundown of the most frequent issues divers encounter.

• Ear Barotrauma: One of the most common injuries, ear barotrauma, happens when divers descend or ascend too quickly. The pressure difference between the water and the inner ear causes discomfort, pain, and sometimes hearing loss.
• Decompression Sickness (The Bends): Decompression sickness, often called “the bends,” is a serious condition caused by ascending too quickly. Nitrogen bubbles form in the bloodstream, causing joint pain, dizziness, and even paralysis if severe.
• Lung Overexpansion Injuries: Lung overexpansion occurs when a diver holds their breath during ascent, causing air in the lungs to expand and damage lung tissue. This can lead to serious complications like pneumothorax or collapsed lung.
• Marine Life Injuries: While most marine creatures aren’t dangerous, some can cause injuries if startled or accidentally touched. Stings, bites, and punctures from jellyfish, sea urchins, and coral can result in pain and infection.
• Nitrogen Narcosis: Nitrogen narcosis is a temporary state caused by breathing nitrogen at higher pressures, typically at depths over 100 feet. It can lead to disorientation and poor judgment, often compared to mild intoxication.
• Sunburn and Dehydration: Spending hours on a boat under the sun can lead to sunburn and dehydration. Many divers forget to hydrate before and after dives, increasing the risk of cramps and exhaustion.