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Cardiac arrest during a diving session: A case report and differential diagnosis
Mariachiara Ippolito1,2, Martina Tubiolo1, Angelo Falletta3
1Department of Surgical, Oncological and Oral Science (Di.Chir.On.S.) University of Palermo Palermo Italy.
Clinical Case Reports
|January 2, 2023
Summary
A recreational diver experienced cardiac arrest due to a faulty rebreather system, leading to drowning. Prompt medical intervention resulted in a favorable outcome for the patient.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Diving Medicine
- Emergency Medicine
Background:
- Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) in recreational diving is uncommon.
- Rebreather systems, while offering extended dive times, carry inherent risks of malfunction.
- Prompt recognition and management are crucial for survival in diving-related emergencies.
Observation:
- A 61-year-old female recreational diver presented with OHCA.
- Witness accounts and medical investigations suggested a rebreather system failure as the cause.
- The patient required resuscitation and subsequent hospital admission.
Findings:
- Drowning secondary to a malfunctioning rebreather system was identified as the primary cause of cardiac arrest.
- The patient's condition stabilized after initial resuscitation efforts.
- Comprehensive medical evaluation confirmed the diving equipment failure.
Implications:
- Highlights the critical importance of rebreather system maintenance and pre-dive checks.
- Underscores the need for specialized emergency response protocols for diving incidents.
- Emphasizes the potential for favorable outcomes with timely medical intervention in diving-related cardiac arrest.
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