Recommendations when practising diving
More and more travellers are going to tropical areas to practice diving. Although it is generally a safe practice, diving accidents can be extremely serious. Furthermore, some places lack the necessary infrastructure or specialised staff for correctly attending to diving accidents.
For these reasons, you should stay well-informed and always take caution.
The main risks related to diving are:
Injuries. The main injury is barotrauma, a physical injury that occurs in the body as a result of the expansion and contraction of the tissues due to the change in pressure during immersion. Barotrauma of the ear is the most common diving injury. It can cause pain, ringing in the ears, a blocked feeling and reduced hearing.
Decompression sickness. This is due to the formation of gas bubbles in the tissues or the blood vessels. The symptoms may vary depending on the degree and the location affected: chest pain, weakness or paralysis, tingling sensation, convulsions, joint pain or difficulty breathing. It is considered a medical emergency, as it can develop into permanent effects or even death if it is not urgently treated with a hyperbaric chamber.
Skin lesions due to scrapes against coral, bites, stings from jellyfish or other marine animals. The risk of the wound becoming infected, and the presence of foreign bodies such as urchin bristles or venom must be taken into consideration.
Sunburn, hypothermia, drowning.
Prevention measures to diving
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Diving carefully and within the limits without decompression.
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Being prudent and adapting the immersion conditions to the group’s level of experience: depth and immersion time, visibility, marine currents, interior of caves or shipwrecks, waves, etc.
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Avoid exposure to altitude after diving. Respect the recommended times before taking a flight after immersion.
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Stay well hydrated and rest. Avoid repeated immersions or strenuous exercise.
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Verify that the centre or diving school meets safety standards. You are advised to check the condition of the diving equipment, the professionalism of the instructors, the condition of the boats and the availability of oxygen.
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If you have a chronic disease or you are taking medication, you should consult a healthcare professional to confirm that there is nothing that should prevent you from practising diving.
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Have medical insurance that covers potential injuries caused by diving.
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