<\/p>\n
Marine life injuries can vary from itching or stinging and pain to respiratory arrest and cardiac arrest.<\/p>\n
With jellyfish and coral stings rinse the affected area with vinegar. If no vinegar is available you can use seawater. Freshwater should be avoided as it can cause the stinging cells to release more venom, worsening the sting.
Wash and disinfect any wound that has broken the skin. Remove tentacles with forceps or another tool. Do not try to remove tentacles with your fingers since this can also cause the stinging cells to release more venom.<\/p>\n
With lionfish, scorpionfish and stonefish stings apply heat to the wound with hot (not boiling) water for at least 30-90 minutes; The heat will disintegrate the protein in the poison and stop it from spreading.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.22.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” max_width=”100%” module_alignment=”center” custom_padding=”||||false|false” use_custom_width=”on” width_unit=”off” custom_width_percent=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.0″ _module_preset=”4ff8d2da-4780-4f30-96ef-a867e11f48be” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]
When finding an unconscious diver in the water the first priority is to establish positive buoyancy<\/strong><\/em>. Then call for help and check for breathing. Start with 2 slow breaths and then give one breath every 5 seconds. Tow the victim to shore or boat while removing equipment. The rescue breaths take priority over equipment removal. If the victim is not responding at all and you are further than 5 minutes away from the boat or shore, you may choose to stop giving rescue breaths in favor of speed.<\/p>\n As soon as the victim is on a boat or on the shore you can perform a primary assessment and start CPR if necessary. A suspected victim of DCI should lay down and should breathe oxygen. It is preferred to administer oxygen through a demand valve<\/strong><\/em>. This can deliver close to 100% oxygen. If the victim has difficulty breathing you can switch to a nonrebreather mask<\/strong><\/em>. A pocket mask<\/strong><\/em> can be used if the victim is not breathing and rescue breaths need to be provided.<\/p>\n Monitor the patient and prepare for transport to the nearest medical facility<\/strong><\/em>. Always take the patient to the nearest medical facility, not the nearest recompression chamber. The reason for this is that the patient needs medical care as well as recompression.
When performing CPR the ratio of compressions to breaths is 30:2. The rate of compressions should be 100 per minute.<\/p>\n
Never put a DCI victim back in the water for recompression. Underwater, nitrogen elimination will be limited (because of the increased pressure) and it is very difficult, if not impossible to monitor the patient and to provide medical care.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.22.0″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.22.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.0″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]