Mask squeeze

(Redirected from Face squeeze)

Background

  • The air in the mask decreases in volume during a dive, and that causes negative pressure on the covered area of the face.
  • Occurs when air is not added to facemask during scuba diving descent to equalize the negative pressure.

Barotrauma Types

Diving Physiology

  • Pascals Law applies to the diving body (without air filled areas such as lungs) states that the pressure applied to any part of the enclosed liquid will be transmitted equally in all directions through the liquid.
  • Boyles Law applies to the diving body's air filled areas such as lungs, sinuses, middle ear, and states that the volume and pressure of a gas at a given temperature are inversely related.
    • At 2 ATA (10m/33ft) a given gas would be 1/2 it's volume, at 3 ATA (20m/66ft) it would be 1/3 it's volume and so on.
Boyle's Law

Clinical Features

Mild barotrauma to a diver caused by mask squeeze

Differential Diagnosis

Diving Emergencies

Evaluation

  • Clinical diagnosis, most often benign, with subconjunctival hemorrhage common.
  • Rule out rare complications such as hyphema, orbital hematoma, retrobulbar hematoma
    • May warrant CT orbit if exam concerning for ocular compartment syndrome or retrobulbar hematoma
    • Check IOP

Management

  • If presentation concerning for ocular compartment syndrome with Retrobulbar hemorrhage, orbital hematoma, hyphema
    • These patients should be treated in usual manner (ophtho, lateral Canthotomy if needed, CT evaluation) if clear signs of mask squeeze and related symptoms instead of jumping to hyperbaric treatments.
  • If benign presentation
    • Resolves over a few days to a week
    • Cold compresses and analgesics may help

Disposition

  • Outpatient

See Also

External Links

References