Scuba diving dangers in Oahu Hawaii.

Oahu SCUBA Diving Dangers

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SCUBA diving in Oahu can have dangers -Here are some. SCUBA diving adventures with OAHUDIVING.COM

	Barracuda
COMMON AREAS	Reefs and deep dives , 10- 120 foot
PREVENTION	Don't wave speared fish, no shiny objects
INJURY MECHANISM	Very sharp teeth and strong jaws. Extremely fast strike.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS	I think you'll know, very deep cuts and rips.
FIRST AID TREATMENT	Stop bleeding - use pressure. Get medical help.

	Crown of Thorns
COMMON AREA	Shallow reefs- to deep offshore reefs-shipwrecks
PREVENTION	Do not handle (even with gloves)
INJURY MECHANISM	Poisonous, dart-like mechanism on each thorn-nerve toxin
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS	Stinging, burning pain,nausea, vomiting, numbness and paralysis. This hurts extremely bad !
FIRST AID TREATMENT	Scrub the wound. Get medical help for severe reactions.

	Hard Coral
COMMON AREA	All depths. 1 to 120 feet in Hawaii
PREVENTION	Don't reef walk or touch coral. You will kill it. Stay out of rough shallow waters.
INJURY MECHANISM	Sharp edges cause abrasions and lacerations.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS	Bleeding, torn skin causing irritation, mild swelling or itching.
FIRST AID TREATMENT	Stop any bleeding with pressure, clean thoroughly with soap and water. Aloe helps the healing process.

	Jellyfish
COMMON AREA	Very common in all water bodies. *Box jellyfish, regularly swarm to Hawaii's Leeward shores 9 to 10 days after the full moon.
PREVENTION	Don't go into areas where sighted, or if dead ones are seen on the beach. Observe posted signs.
INJURY MECHANISM	Stinging tentacles.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS	Stinging, burning, redness, swelling of lymph nodes. Severe reaction: difficulty with breathing and cardiac arrest. Occasional long welt lines.
FIRST AID TREATMENT	Douse with vinegar. Apply ice for pain. IMMEDIATE medical attention may be required for severe reactions.

	Moray Eel
COMMON AREA	Rocky areas, in holes, under rocks, crevices and tide pool ledges.
PREVENTION	Keep hands out of rocky areas, holes and crevices. Use stick to probe. Dead fish, blood or bait will bring them out of their holes. Don't be a "snake charmer" diver! Caution-Expensive medical bills
INJURY MECHANISM	Razor sharp teeth, powerful jaws.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS	Bleeding, severe muscle damage, but more commonly tendon and nerve damage. Nasty deep bite
FIRST AID TREATMENT	Stop bleeding with pressure, clean thoroughly. Get medical help (guard against infection).

	Portuguese Man-of-War
COMMON AREA	Open ocean. Bays and beaches during strong onshore winds.
PREVENTION	Avoid areas where they frequent. Usually found when winds blow in from the ocean onto land. Observe posted signs.
INJURY MECHANISM	Long blue, threadlike tentacles.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS	Stinging, burning, redness, swelling of lymph nodes. Severe reaction: difficulty with breathing and cardiac arrest. Long welt lines.
FIRST AID TREATMENT	Pick off any visible tentacles. Rinse with fresh or salt water. Apply ice for pain. IMMEDIATE medical attention may be required for severe reactions.

	Scorpion Fish
COMMON AREA	Protected ledges, rocky areas, and shallow inshore areas.
PREVENTION	Do not handle. Keep out of crevices and places into which you can't see.
INJURY MECHANISM	Toxic dorsal, pelvic, and anal spines. This guy really hurts.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS	Punctured skin, extreme pain, throbbing for hours. Sometimes convulsions and cardiac arrest; but rarely, in Hawai`i, such very serious reactions.
FIRST AID TREATMENT	Immerse in hot water to tolerance. Get medical help for serious reactions or for infection.

	Sea Urchin
COMMON AREA	Shallow reef areas to 100 foot depths.
PREVENTION	Wear foot protection. Don't walk on rocky areas with poor visibility.
INJURY MECHANISM	Long, extremely brittle spines.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS	Throbbing pain. Tatto-like discoloration, numbness, swelling and itchy
FIRST AID TREATMENT	Pull out protruding spines. If spines are in a joint, nerve, or when wound is infected - get medical help. Usually you can live with the injury while it heals. Hot water relieves pain.

	Shark
COMMON AREA	Shallow inshore waters to open ocean.
PREVENTION	Sharks will not attack you unless provoked. Spearing fish in the presents of sharks and molesting sharks while diving will cause attacks.
INJURY MECHANISM	Jaws and rows of razor sharp teeth. Abrasions from sandpaper-like skin.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS	Severe bleeding, injury to or excision of muscle, bone and appendages. Missing arms or legs.
FIRST AID TREATMENT	Control bleeding with pressure. Transport to medical facility or call 911 for an ambulance for severe shark attack bites.

	Stingray
COMMON AREA	Shallow, sandy areas to deep oceans.
PREVENTION	Shuffle feet when walking in shallow inshore waters. Stay clear of disturbed (swimming) ray. Do Not Molest!
INJURY MECHANISM	Tail with poisonous barb near base of body.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS	Lacerations and severe pain. Will make a grown man cry.
FIRST AID TREATMENT	Stop any bleeding, clean thoroughly with mild soap and water. Immerse in hot water to tolerance for pain. Get medical treatment for deep cuts and embedded barb pieces. Do not try to remove pieces yourself - get medical help.

	Surgeonfish
COMMON AREA	Wave zone to 140 foot depths.
PREVENTION	Take care in handling. Watch the tail. Don't try to grab this fish while in a small cave, very stupid.
INJURY MECHANISM	Spine and knife-like razors near tail. These fish can really do damage- Very bad.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS	Throbbing pain, laceration bleeding and numbness.
FIRST AID TREATMENT	Stop bleeding with pressure, clean thoroughly with soap and water. Get medical treatment for deep cuts and embedded spine pieces. Do not try to remove pieces yourself.

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