Chapter 4- Diving Physiology Diving Physiology 127 DESCENT Sinus Barotrauma Your sinuses are air-filled cavities in your head (figure 4-15). Blocked air passages to your sinus can create sinus squeeze during descent and reverse squeeze on ascent. Various over-the-counter and prescription medications open the sinus passages, as do spicy foods and hot sauce. If the decongestant effects wear off during your dive, your sinuses become closed spaces containing high pressure air. This can lead to a reverse block on ascent. Effects: Capillaries of your mucous membranes may swell and break, causing painful tissue swelling (edema), bleeding in your sinus cavity, headache, and facial pain (figure 4-16). First Aid: Stop your dive and get medical attention. On the way to medical attention, it sometimes helps to inhale warm steamy air to try to unblock things. Prevention: Postpone diving when you have nasal congestion from allergy, cold, or infection. If you have nasal deformities, masses, cysts, or polyps that block your sinus openings; see a good diving ear, nose, and throat physician to determine if these conditions can be medically corrected. Nasal Cavity Plug Mucous Membrane Membrane Swelling Blood RETURN TO SURFACE Air Air Air Membrane Hemorrhage FIGURE 4-16. INJURY FROM BLOCKED SINUS. Air Space Filling Decayed Area FIGURE 4-17. TOOTH BAROTRAUMA. FIGURE 4-15. PARANASAL SINUSES Frontal Sinus Ethmoidal Sinus Maxillary Sinus Sphenoid Sinus
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