Surviving Deep-Underwater Traps: Is Shooting to the Surface Safe?

Imagine being trapped deep underwater. Would grabbing a life vest and shooting to the surface be a viable option? The answer is more complex than it seems. While a life vest can help with buoyancy, the dangers of decompression sickness, commonly known as the bends, make this approach risky.

The Dangers of Quick Ascents

Decompression sickness occurs when you ascend too quickly from deep water, causing dissolved gases in your body to form bubbles. Nitrogen, which you pick up from each breath, is the primary gas involved. This condition can lead to severe health issues, making rapid ascent extremely dangerous.

Recommended Ascent Rates

Divers are advised to ascend no faster than 30 feet (9 meters) per minute. For deeper dives, safety stops at various depths, typically between 15-20 feet, are recommended to allow gases to safely dissipate. These stops ensure that the pressures inside the diver's body correlate with the surrounding water pressure.

Life Vest Considerations

A life vest can help you float but may not provide the control needed for a safe ascent. Its buoyancy can cause you to rise too quickly, increasing the risk of developing the bends. A life vest alone is not a reliable solution for decompression.

Best Course of Action

If you find yourself in such a situation:

Stay calm. Panic can lead to rapid ascent. Ascend slowly, if possible, to control your ascent rate. Consider safety stops. Pausing at around 15-20 feet can allow your body to adjust.

In summary, while a life vest can help with buoyancy, shooting towards the surface without careful consideration of ascent rates can be very dangerous.

Understanding Decompression

Every breath you take at depth slowly adds nitrogen to your bloodstream. The deeper you go, the more you pick up, and the longer you stay, the more you accumulate.

Depending on your situation, your options may be limited. The longer you stay underwater, the more likely you are to exceed your decompression limits, making it necessary to use a decompression chamber. Historically, submarine crews were trained to evacuate by wearing special suits that allowed for a controlled ascent, with safety measures in place to prevent lung damage.

The faster your ascent, the more you may need to cope with the pressure changes. Air, as it ascends, expands and can potentially cause air to bubble up into your bloodstream, which can be fatal if not managed properly. Some divers have been taught to yell loudly during ascent to signal the rate of ascent, helping to prevent lung overexpansion.

Even if you take all precautions, there's still a risk of developing the bends. Different depths have different no-decompression limits, based on the time you can stay underwater without needing a safety stop. Here are some examples:

8 minutes at 140 feet (42.6 meters) 10 minutes at 130 feet (39.6 meters) 13 minutes at 120 feet (36.5 meters) 20 minutes at 100 feet (30 meters) 55 minutes at 60 feet (18.2 meters) 205 minutes at 35 feet (10.7 meters)

Without safety stops, these times are conservative estimates for decompression safety, especially at depths over 100 feet.

Conclusion

While the detailed information provided in the dive tables is typically used for planning, understanding the decompression risks in an underwater emergency is crucial. Always prioritize caution and safety when faced with a deep-water situation.

Stay safe, and remember that proper training and safety measures are essential for underwater exploration.