Dive Leader Knowledge: DT6 - Oxygen Administration in Practice

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* 1. What condition will the majority of diving casualties requiring oxygen administration be in?

Breathing, unconscious and suffering from DCI

Breathing, conscious and suffering from DCI

Not breathing, unconscious and suffering from DCI

Breathing, unconscious and suffering from near drowning

Not breathing, unconscious and suffering from near drowning

Not breathing, unconscious and suffering from suspected heart attack

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* 2. Roughly what proportion of all diving casualties is likely to require rescue breaths?

One in a thousand

One in a hundred

One in ten

Fifty percent

Ninety percent

Ninety nine percent

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* 3. What posture should a casualty receiving oxygen for suspected DCI be placed in?

Sitting

Lying down, face up, legs raised

Lying down, face up, legs flat

Recovery position

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* 4. What posture should a casualty receiving oxygen for shock be placed in?

Sitting

Lying down, face up, legs raised

Lying down, face up, legs flat

Recovery position

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* 5. What posture should a casualty receiving oxygen for suspected DCI and shock be placed in?

Sitting

Lying down, face up, legs raised

Lying down, face up, legs flat

Recovery position

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* 6. Which of the following is correct advice about oxygen administration? Please select all that apply.

The sooner oxygen is administered, the greater the benefit

Wait until the symptoms are obvious before administering oxygen

If oxygen supplies are limited, try to ration them

Use the oxygen up early even if supplies are limited

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* 7. Which of the following is correct advice about oxygen administration? Please select all that apply.

If there is a second casualty, treat both casualties simultaneously

If there is a second casualty, treat the most serious one first

When treating two casualties, use a second demand valve and oro-nasal mask if available

When treating two casualties, always use a pocket mask for one casualty and a demand valve for the other

When there is a DCI casualty, use the time they are immobilised receiving oxygen to remind them of the importance of good diving practices in avoiding incidents, and the inconvenience that incidents cause to others in the diving party

Remember that casualties will need TLC

Expect a transient worsening of symptoms when oxygen is administered to a casualty

Stop oxygen administration immediately if the casualty's stmptoms worsen

Oxygen must never be given to casualties who have been recovered to the surface after experiencing oxygen toxicity underwater

Oxygen can be given to casualties who have been recovered to the surface after experiencing oxygen toxicity underwater, once any signs and symptoms of oxygen toxicity have disappeared

Give painkillers in accordance with the dosage stated on the bottle or packet, if the casualty asks for them

Pain killers should not be administered because they can mask the DCI symptoms, making subsequent treatment by medical personnel more difficult

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* 8. Rehydration using appropriate fluids is important. Which of the following is preferable?

Still isotonic drinks in small quantities at a rate totalling approximately 1 litre/hour

Still isotonic drinks in small quantities at a rate totalling approximately 2 litres/hour

water/squash drinks in small quantities at a rate totalling approximately 0.5 litre/hour

water/squash drinks in small quantities at a rate totalling approximately 1 litre/hour

caffeinated or fizzy drinks in small quantities at a rate totalling approximately 0.5 litre/hour

caffeinated or fizzy drinks in small quantities at a rate totalling approximately 2 litres/hour

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* 9. Which of the following is correct advice about fluids for DCI? Please select all that apply.

Do not give fluids if the casualty is likely to vomit

Give fluids even if the casualty is likely to vomit

Do not give fluids if the casualty is likely to inhale the fluid

Do not give fluids if the casualty has a condition which may subsequently require a general anaesthetic

If oxygen is not available, give fluids alone

Only give fluids in conjunction with oxygen

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* 10. At what point should you contact the emergency services to arrange medical evacuation of a casualty with suspected DCI?

At the earliest opportunity

Only if oxygen administration does not resolve the symptoms

After the oxygen has been used up

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* 11. Assuming they are not showing symptoms of DCI, should the casualty's buddy accompany the casualty to the recompression chamber as a precaution, in case he/she subsequently also develops symptoms?

Yes, always

Yes, if they have made the same series of dives

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* 12. Which of the following statements are correct about actions to take when the oxygen supplies for the dedicated oxygen administration equipment are exhausted? Please select all that apply.

Closed circuit rebreathers can deliver 100% oxygen

Closed circuit rebreathers should only be operated by someone trained in the use of the particular type of rebreather

Nitrox mixes are of less benefit than 100% oxygen, but better than air.

Nitrox mixes may be available from ordinary scuba cylinders

A casualty breathing via a diving mouthpiece will receive a higher, more beneficial, percentage of oxygen if they wear a facemask or noseclip

If a casualty complains of discomfort from using a mouthpiece, facemask, or noseclip they should be forced to put up with it for their own good

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* 13. What is the correct procedure when a diver has missed decompression stops or made a rapid ascent, but shows no signs or symptoms of DCI (other than denial)? Please select all that apply.

Wait for signs and symptoms to appear before taking any action, other than observing the casualty

Assume the diver is suffering from DCI

Lay the casualty down and keep them quiet

Administer 100% oxygen and fluids

Administer fluids, but save the oxygen until it is needed by someone with obvious symptoms (which could be this diver in due course)

Contact the BHA/RN Diver Helpline for advice

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* 14. Entonox is a mixture of nitrous oxygen and oxygen administered by medical services for pain relief. Why should you never take entonox after diving?

It is illegal

It can cause megaloblastic anaemia

It can depress white cell formation.

Nitrous oxide diffuses into any gas bubbles in the blood, making them bigger, and making any DCI worse

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* 15. What colour are entonox cylinders in the UK?

blue

green

black

blue and white

blue and black

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* 16. What safety considerations should be applied to the area which is used for oxygen administration? Please select all that apply.

Scrupulously clean

Well ventilated

Enclosed

Free from sources of ignition

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* 17. Why should divers administer oxygen only to other divers?

The medical requirements to be a diver are such that a diver will not be harmed by oxygen administration

People with conditions such as chronic lung diseases may suffer adversely, possibly to a fatal extent, by the administration of oxygen

Divers could be sued for negligence if the casualty is not a diver suffering a diving related problem

All of the above