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DAN Medical Q&A

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DAN medical specialists and researchers answer your dive medicine questions

TROUBLE BREATHING AFTER CLEARING MASK

Q: During dive training in the pool, I couldn’t breathe after clearing my mask with my regulator in my mouth. After surfacing, I took six to eight wheezing breaths and then could breathe normally again. It’s possible I inhaled water during the exercise, but my instructor and I could not recall when or how that would have happened. Someone at the training centre suggested that something might be wrong with my epiglottis. Is there a way to inspect the epiglottis to ensure it is functioning properly? What causes it to relax and open back up?

A: It is not uncommon for new divers to have some anxiety when fully removing their mask underwater. When you expose your nose to the water, it’s natural to feel uncomfortable if water enters the nasopharynx. Our bodies are trained not to take a breath while underwater, but it is possible if you can relax and focus on breathing through your regulator. If water entered the larynx, the epiglottis’ natural response would be to close the airways to prevent aspiration. The larynx would reflexively trigger coughing to expel the fluid, or you would try to remove the fluid through exhalation. Even a small amount of fluid can induce laryngospasm, which will stimulate this powerful reflex.

This passage from Marieb and Hoehn’s Human Anatomy and Physiology is a good overview of how the epiglottis works: ‘When only air is flowing into the larynx, the inlet to the larynx is wide open and the free edge of the epiglottis projects upward. During swallowing, the larynx is pulled superiorly and the epiglottis tips to cover the laryngeal inlet. Because this action keeps food out of the lower respiratory passages, the epiglottis has been called the guardian of the airways. Anything other than air entering the larynx initiates the cough reflex to expel the substance’.

Another possibility is that you had an anxiety-induced laryngospasm, which can be triggered by discomfort, panic, or high anxiety. Some physicians think this spasm is part of the body’s natural defence against accidental drowning or suffocation and may be part of the body’s response to fluid in the larynx.

Your breathing problem may be an issue with your comfort level and experience, but it’s possible there are other complications we cannot identify based on the information you provided. Discuss these concerns with your physician and request a fitness-to-dive evaluation to ensure that you have no physical contraindications to dive activity. Your physician may refer you to an ENT for further investigation, if needed.

If your physician clears you for diving, we recommend that you complete additional, rigorous pool time to work on skills with your instructor before proceeding any further in your training.

Monthly round-up of news from our SSI dive centres and professionals www.divessi.com

KEEP DIVING AND STAY CONNECTED WITH THE MYSSI DIVING APP 3.0

SSI is proud to announce the release of our new

APP 3.0. Gone are the days of showing up at the dive boat without your logbook, training materials and certification card. Now, it is all safely stored in your MySSI app.

With this impressive free diving app, you can access everything you need to go diving and stay connected to diving at all times. Whether you run an SSI Training Centre, are a dive pro, or just love diving, the MySSI App has all you need to boost your business, support your students, and record your diving adventures. These features are just the start of what you will discover in the essential, new MySSI diving app: • Learn easily on the move. SSI courses are included in the

MySSI app and available whenever and wherever you want to learn. • Record every dive detail with MySSI’s advanced logbook features. • Connect with dive buddies worldwide. • Immerse yourself in diving even on land, with the latest industry and SSI blog news. • Ready to level up? Check out SSI pathway posters to plan your next course and become the best diver you can be.

SIGN UP FOR FREE ACCESS TO THE APP

Discover MySSI’s innovative new diving app features. 1. Capture your best Scuba, Freediving and Extended Range dives with ease. MySSI will help you remember your dives for years to come, thanks to its host of logbook features that record all the dive details you could wish for. You can record your dive site’s exact GPS co-ordinates, quickly log your dives by scanning a dive site’s QR code, create a digital buddy list, add the wildlife you encountered, and so much more.

Now, the MySSI diving app has enhanced logbook functions for Scuba, Extended Range and Freediving, including new graphics and icons if dives are imported through selected dive computers. All of which helps you customize your dive details with the type of diving you have done and capture your best underwater adventures.

2. Record the epic wildlife you encountered with MyDiveGuide. Few things are more frustrating than running out of room on your dive log page when you scribble down all the marine life you saw. With MySSI’s new wildlife feature, you can say goodbye to writing in the margins and poring over old marine life ID books.

The MySSI digital logbook wildlife feature makes it quick and easy to record all of the wildlife you encountered during each dive. Simply browse and select the marine life you saw from MyDiveGuide’s extensive wildlife list.

The MyDiveGuide wildlife directory contains everything from bucket list ocean giants right through to those prized critters you’ve spent years trying to find. Get the details down fast in your surface intervals and start planning your next wildlife dives now.

3. Get notified of events in your local dive community. Cannot get enough of diving? Neither can we! Up your dive time and leave your ‘fear of missing out’ behind with MySSI.

Thanks to MySSI, it is now even easier to stay connected and get involved in your local dive community. On the new app homepage, you will find all events and the event calendar for your local SSI Training Centre. You can browse local dive trips, plan your next SSI dive course, and join local dive events from your smartphone.

It is the best way to meet new dive buddies in your area, explore local dive sites you didn’t know existed, and extend your dive season. n

So, what are you waiting for? Download the App, create your profile, and explore this essential diving app today.

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