Why is it so important to pay attention to diving?
Accidents caused by head diving are one of the main causes of spinal cord injury, especially in places with a depth of less than 150 centimeters.
These accidents can result in head trauma and vertebro-spinal cord injuries, namely, situations of loss of control and sensation of the legs (paraplegia) and loss of movement of the trunk, legs and arms (quadriplegia). In more severe cases, the victim may even die.
Is there a time of year with a higher accident rate?
Yes. Diving accidents have some seasonality and mostly occur between May and September (85%).
Should diving be avoided?
Nope. It is not necessary to prohibit diving at all. In case you want to dive, you should confirm that the safety conditions are met and take some essential precautions.
for instance:
- Do not immerse in water:
- Unknown
- low depth (less than double its height)
- cloudy or rocky
- in unlit areas (at night)
- Always dive with your arms in front of you, in extension, to protect your head and neck
In unfamiliar locations, dive with your "feet" (enter the water with your feet first and not with your head) and do not consume alcohol or drugs before going diving.
How do injuries occur?
Most accidents happen because the depth of the water at the dive sites has not been calculated. Diving injuries usually occur when the head hits the ground, since after the impact the neck receives the weight of the body and produces a flexion or extension, which can lead to a fracture or dislocation of a cervical vertebra (usually C5 or C6), and result in trauma to the spinal cord.
The type of damage caused varies according to the weight, speed and, especially, the position of the head and spine during impact.
The worst consequence is paralysis and the inability to move the limbs. That is, the degree of spinal cord injury can end up in a condition of quadriplegia, in which there is a paralysis of the arms and legs, or paraplegia, in which the paralysis is only of the legs.
Where do these accidents occur?
Diving accidents can happen on beaches, swimming pools or other bathing, coastal or river areas, but they are more frequent in swimming pools than in the sea, and most accidents occur during leisure activities and not during sports practices.
What is the main risk group?
Men are the main victims of these accidents, especially among young people under the age of 35 who usually adopt risky behaviours.
What are the recommendations for safe diving?
A miscalculated dive can have lifelong consequences, so you should be aware of:
- existence of obstacles around you that you can collide with, such as rocks, boards, people, etc.
- Be aware of the existing signs, always stay in a supervised area
- Ponder the depth, do not dive in shallow water (less than twice your height)
- Do not dive in waters you do not know or have poor visibility
- Do not dive from very high places
- Do not dive after consuming alcohol or any other substance that alters cognitive or motor function
- You should dive with your hands in front of you, so that your head is protected during the dive
- Avoid diving on your back or in a race – the more momentum you give, the deeper the dive will be
In the event of an accident, what should be done?
In the event of witnessing an accident, there are some procedures that can minimize the consequences of the accident:
- call the lifeguard immediately and call INEM's 112
- You should not move the person, as any movement on an already damaged spine can cause permanent damage
- Wait for expert help
Source: National Institute of Medical Emergency (INEM)