Page 47 - AlertDiver_Summer2011_web

These bubbles are distributed throughout the body and may interrupt circulation or cause direct tissue trauma to the fetus. While not a concern during pool training, DCS is a risk for both the mother and fetus when diving and is an additional reason to postpone all diving until full recovery following delivery. The definitive treatment for decompression illnesses (DCI) is hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). In addition to the potential fetal risks associated with diving, HBOT may also cause unintended harm. Because of this, the deliberate exposure of pregnant women to HBOT for research purposes is considered unethical, so definitive data do not exist. However, animal studies support this concern by showing some added fetal risks.

Most mothers are careful to limit or avoid alcohol, tobacco and caffeine during their pregnancy, and it seems reasonable to add all scuba diving activities to this list. Dive medicine experts and training organizations all agree that while the risk may be small, it is avoidable. With all the emotion tied to pregnancy and the hopes for a healthy baby, there is no reason to risk harm or a life of second guessing if birth defects were to occur. Q:

While doing maintenance on the second stage of my regulator for the first time since I bought it five years ago, I found some colored buildup. What is this, and why did it occur? A:

Ownership of dive equipment comes with responsibility. Like all dive gear, regulators are frequently exposed to harsh conditions. Salt, dirt and residual moisture that aren’t cleaned out after diving may eventually accumulate and cause functional problems. The presence of the gunk you described is not

uncommon in regulators that haven’t been properly rinsed and maintained. Te National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s dive manual recommends rinsing regulators with fresh, clean water at the end of each day of diving, especially after saltwater dives. It is best to rinse while the regulator is connected to the cylinder with the pressure on; the air pressure ensures that no water gets inside the frst stage. Rinse the frst stage, the hoses and both the inside and outside of the second stage.

You may also rinse the frst stage with the dust cap in place if it is not possible to rinse while it’s attached to a scuba tank. Failure to secure the dust cap in position prior to rinsing will allow water to enter the frst stage, which might lead to corrosion. Do not press the purge button while using this method, as this may also allow water into the frst stage. We all want our equipment to perform perfectly, and

www.alertdiver.com | 45