Evaluation of someone with a scuba injury is based on a history and physical examination.

Physical findings depend on the type of injury.

Physical findings in someone with a scuba injury may include:

• Abnormal lung sounds:
• During examination with a stethoscope
• Ear canal swelling
• Ear discharge:
• Bleeding from the ear
• Eardrum redness
• Eardrum rupture
• Rash
• Subconjunctival hemorrhage:
• Eye redness from bleeding within the white portion of the eye
• Air trapped under the skin that covers the chest or neck
• Arm numbness (unilateral)
• Leg numbness (unilateral)
• Arm weakness (unilateral)
• Leg weakness (unilateral)
• Facial weakness (unilateral):
• Facial drooping
• Difficulty speaking
• Difficulty walking
• Difficulty with balance
• Loss of coordination
• Confusion

Tests may be necessary to evaluate scuba injuries.

Tests that may be used to evaluate a scuba injury include:

• CT scan of the brain
• MRI scan of the brain
• Echocardiogram

For more information:

• Air embolism evaluation
• Barotitis media evaluation
• Decompression illness evaluation