Credits/Hours: 4 Credits
Covers the physical and physiological effects of underwater activity on the body by factors such as air, sound, and light, with detailed emphasis on pressure and temperature. Students learn the effects of gases like oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and helium under pressure. Also studied are the gas laws describing interactive effects of temperature and pressure. Students review the organization and structure of the body, particularly the systems affected by hyperbaric pressure. Students learn to recognize, prevent, and treat the following diving maladies: drowning, squeezes, hypothermia, hyperthermia, hypoxia, anoxia, dyspnea, hypercapnia, CO poisoning, O2 toxicity, nitrogen narcosis, air embolism, pneumothorax, subcutaneous and mediastinal emphysema, lipoid pneumonia, decompression sickness, and barotrauma injuries.
Prerequisite: None.