A type of traumatic brain injury, a concussion can result in symptoms that range from severe headaches to altered levels of alertness, or complete unconsciousness. As the severity of the symptoms vary, so does the possibility that a person who has suffered from this type of trauma can dive and enjoy other activities as they usually do. Let’s take a look at what concussions are, and then discuss the implications a concussion may have on diving.
Concussions: Cause and Effect
Concussions temporarily interfere with the brain’s function; they can affect memory, reflexes, judgment, balance, speech, coordination, and even sleep patterns. Concussions are caused when the head comes into contact with an object, or when a moving object strikes the head; they are often the result of car accidents, falls, and sports accidents. Not every blow to the head will result in a concussion; the blow must be sufficient to cause movement of the brain.
On the other hand, you don’t have to lose consciousness to suffer a concussion; many people have had concussions and have never even realized that their brains have been injured. The symptoms of a concussion vary from mild to severe. For instance, a sense of confusion, a spacey feeling, or the inability to think straight are concussion symptoms just as much as an altered level of consciousness or a complete loss of consciousness is. Some people experience memory loss, nausea and vomiting, or convulsions; persistent confusion, muscle weakness on one or both sides, and convulsions are additional symptoms associated with severe concussions.
When recovering from a concussion, you might find that you have some difficulty with tasks that do not normally pose a problem, and you could find that concentrating on anything or remembering basic information is difficult. You might find that noises bother you, and you may have a headache. In addition, you might suffer from some side effects that include feeling upset at situations that do not normally bother you, or you might feel an urge to withdraw from others.
In order for a course of treatment to be determined, your doctor should perform a complete physical and assess your nervous system. You may need an EEG to evaluate brain waves, or you might have to undergo an MRI or a head CT scan. Treatment usually involves rest and relaxation away from stressful situations and away from physical activity, including diving.
Diving After a Concussion
If you have not been seen by a doctor, and you have experienced a change in alertness, confusion, a headache, or other symptoms associated with concussions, stay out of the water until you’ve had a chance to be properly evaluated.
Your doctor will provide you with guidelines regarding returning to normal activities; in many cases, you will not be able to dive for a fairly long period of time; that is, anywhere from one to three months. Lifting heavy items, such as your tanks, or doing any other strenuous activity can cause additional injury and make recovery time even longer. Complications can include bleeding in the brain, and internal trauma that can result in physical, emotional, or intellectual challenges that are long-lasting or even permanent. In some cases, secondary brain swelling occurs; that can be deadly.
Before returning to diving, talk to your doctor. In addition, ensure that your sensory and motor functions are working properly, and ensure that your levels of concentration, alertness, memory, and other cognitive abilities are normal. Do not push your limits, and take it easy when returning to diving.