Neurological oxygen toxicity.

Abstract

SCUBA diving has several risks associated with it from breathing air under pressure--nitrogen narcosis, barotrauma and decompression sickness (the bends). Trimix SCUBA diving involves regulating mixtures of nitrogen, oxygen and helium in an attempt to overcome the risks of narcosis and decompression sickness during deep dives, but introduces other potential hazards such as hypoxia and oxygen toxicity convulsions. This study reports on a seizure during the ascent phase, its potential causes and management and discusses the hazards posed to the diver and his rescuer by an emergency ascent to the surface.

• Authors: Scott Farmery, Oliver Sykes
• Journal: Emergency medicine journal : EMJ (Emerg Med J) Vol. 29 Issue 10 Pg. 851-2 (Oct 2012) ISSN: 1472-0213 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 21900296 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Helium
• trimix
• Nitrogen
• Oxygen

Topics

• Decompression Sickness (diagnosis, etiology, therapy)
• Diagnosis, Differential
• Diving (adverse effects)
• Emergency Medical Services
• Glasgow Coma Scale
• Helium (adverse effects)
• Humans
• Hyperbaric Oxygenation
• Male
• Nitrogen (adverse effects)
• Oxygen (adverse effects)
• Seizures (diagnosis, etiology)