Significance

• Neck injuries can affect the head and spinal cord, resulting in structural and neurological (nerve) damage. Neck injuries can result from an impact to the head through the shoulders, as well as the effect of pressure at depth, such as while scuba diving. Studies have shown that children and young adults are more prone to dive-related injuries from water sports.
  
  

Symptoms

• Neck injuries can result in bone and nerve damage. Bone injuries include breaks, fractures and sprains. Structural head and neck injuries are obvious, often involving bleeding or dislocated or broken bones as well as bruises. The effects of nerve damage can be observed immediately or after a delay. Nerve damage can include concussion, tingling, vision problems and impaired motor function. All neck injuries should be checked by a medical professional because delayed treatment might cause further complications.
  
  

Risks

• Unintentionally diving in shallow water can cause neck injuries because the diver can miscalculate the depth. Water distortion in rocky areas and sloped pools can make the bottom appear farther away. Diving from a boat can affect the angle of entry into the water, causing a sharper and deeper dive. Swimming areas with overhangs or diving platforms can cause injury for divers and swimmers rapidly ascending to the surface. Rapid ascent or extended time underwater while scuba diving can increase the likelihood of decompression illness, which can cause physical and neurological damage.
  
  

Treatment

• The first thing to do when a diving accident occurs is to get the swimmer or diver out of the water. Once the person out of the water and breathing, treatment for physical or structural injuries is achieved by first aid to control bleeding, immobilize damage and manage shock. Any diving injury should include a neurological assessment for possible concussion and emergency oxygen as available.
  
  

Misconceptions

• Diving neck injuries aren't always visible or immediate. Water has a cooling effect on the body. Some minor injuries where the diver scraped the bottom can produce a bruise over time, and fractures might not produce swelling until the next day. Neurological effects might occur after the diver is out of the water (such as nausea), and the correlation to the incident might not be obvious. Trained emergency providers and lifeguards use techniques to get a person out of the water while minimizing movement to their head and neck because diving neck injuries are often serious.