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by: Dr. Hanaa Nessim - Photos
by: Aquarius
Is
the child a small adult when it comes to diving?
Definitely NOT.
Participation
of children in scuba diving is growing every
year. Instructors, dive masters, parents and
pediatricians are all in growing need to understand
the physiological differences between children
and adults that relate specifically to scuba
diving.
RESPIRATORY
TRACT
Lung maturation and alveolar multiplication
are progressive all along the growth period.
It is very fast till the age of four, then
gradually slows to stop at the age of eight.
The elastic tissue is rare at birth, and then
it increases gradually to reach complete development
at 18 years.
These facts: relatively small lung capacity
+ less elasticity + scuba diving (breathing
compressed air) = Possibility of air trapping
even in a healthy lung.
HEART
AND BLOOD VESSELS
40% of 7-8 year old children have patent foramen
ovale (PFO), this hole between the 2 atria
of the heart may allow bubbles formed in the
venous side to go into the arterial circulation
in case of increased intrathoracic pressures
during ascent from a scuba dive, in this situation,
the risk of cerebral air embolism is considerable.
 EAR,
NOSE AND THROAT
Middle ear barotraumas is the main clinical
incident in children diving, this comes from
the following reasons:
1. Eustachian opening is not as patent as
adults.
2. Frequency of nose and throat infections
in children is definitely more than adults.
3. Misunderstanding and of equalization technique.
THE
RMOBIOLOGY AND CHILDREN DIVING
This is considered the major limiting factor
for children diving. So a well fitted suit
is important.
Head
and neck are the main areas of heat loss in
children, protection with a hood is considered
mandatory. The draw back of less adipose tissue
in relation to body surface is not actually
very important as this is compensated by?
Faster
vasoconstrictive reaction.
Faster thermo genesis (heat production) due
to higher basal metabolic rate.
 PSYCHOLOGICAL
ASPECTS
Emotional liability are characteristic of
7-8 years old child, in the presence of danger
(real or imaginative) the reaction is unpredictable.
So,
panic situation can lead to lung barotraumas.
Visual reference (bottom, coral reef, or pool
walls) are important, as the dependence in
this age on the visual field is very high.
LOCOMOTOR
APPARATUS
Carrying heavy loads can lead to injury of
ossification nuclei in children with consequent
growth disorders, also decompressive risk
of the growth cartilage is probable as its
desaturation period is shorter than in adult
bone due to its higher metabolic activity.
TIPS
FOR SAFEGUARDING OUR KIDS
Dive
professionals, diving doctors and parents
have to work together to ensure that young
divers will grow healthy to become old
divers.
DIVING
DOCTORS
have to stress in their pre dive medical
release for children on the cardiopulmonary
check and ENT problems.
INSTRUCTORS
AND DIVE MASTERS
have to ensure good understanding and
suitable dive conditions, for their
young divers.
PARENTS
(DIVERS)
have not to overestimate
the capabilities of their children.
Finally, diving
is still a new activity for children,
so it is difficult to understand all
the risks in the present time.
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BEFORE
AGE OF 7-8 YEARS
Many
respiratory risks are present such as
breathlessness, hypoxia, and air pressure
trapping leading to a risk of pulmonary
barotrauma, even a localized one.
Meaning that respiratory functions in
a child less than 7-8 years do not allow
Scuba diving without risk. |
AFTER
AGE OF 7-8 YEARS
Pulmonary
function is developed enough to allow
for safe scuba diving except for:
1. Limiting maximum depth.
2. Using depth and tank pressure compensated
air regulator.
3. Adapted snorkel with little dead space.
Stop
diving when child suffers from cold
or sore throat.
Be sure that that the child understands
what equalization proper technique is
and how often he must do it underwater.
Stop diving on the first signs of feeling
cold.
Take care of dehydration and hyperthermia
in summer.
Visual reference and feeling comfortable,
warm, and secure are very important
for children during their scuba diving
experience.
Loads must be lightened by using special
back packs.
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