DIVING

Appendix F. Glossary
Appendix F. Glossary
Neal W. Pollock
Absorbent (rebreather)
Chemical compound used to remove carbon dioxide from
breathing gas. See “Scrubber.”
Acetaminophen
Tylenol, paracetamol, N-acetyl-p-aminophenol, APAP. A
non-prescription drug that is used as an alternative to aspirin
to relieve mild pain and to reduce fever.
Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)
Severe inflammation of the alveoli (air sacs) of the lungs,
inhibiting gas exchange, and carrying a high threat to life.
Advair
Prescription drug that prevents the release of substances
in the body that cause inflammation. It is common used
to prevent asthma attacks and flare-ups or worsening of
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) associated
with chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema. Advair contains
the steroid fluticasone and the bronchodilator salmeterol.
Salmeterol works by relaxing muscles in the airways to
improve breathing.
Aerobic Capacity (VO 2
max)
The maximal amount of oxygen that can be consumed
per unit of time. Determined through a short, graduated
test to exhaustion while expired gases are captured and
analyzed. Often reported in weight-indexed units of milliliters
of oxygen consumed per kilogram body weight per
unit time (mL·kg- 1·min- 1 ).
Agonal Breathing
An abnormal pattern of breathing characterized by sporadic
gasps with audible effort. Possible causes include
cerebral ischemia and severe hypoxia. Agonal breathing
often pro- gresses to complete apnea and death.
Albuterol
A prescription drug (also known as salbutamol) used to prevent
and treat wheezing and shortness of breath caused
by breathing problems (e.g., asthma, chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease). It is also used to prevent asthma
brought on by exercise. Albuterol belongs to a class of
drugs known as bronchodilators. It works in the airways
by opening breathing passages and relaxing muscles.
Nervousness, shaking (tremor), mouth/throat dryness or
irritation, cough, dizziness, headache, trouble sleeping,
or nausea may occur. Serious side effects include fast/
pounding heartbeat, muscle cramps/weakness. Rare but
very serious side effects include chest pain and irregular
heartbeat. Rarely, this medication has caused severe, sudden
worsening of breathing problems/asthma (paradoxical
bronchospasm).
Alternobaric Vertigo
Dizziness and disorientation resulting from unequal pressures
in the two middle ears. Usually transient.
Ambiguous DCS
A case where the diagnosis of DCS is not certain; for example,
a case with sufficient decompression exposure but
minimal, atypical symptoms or symptoms of short duration
that spontaneously resolve.
Antiemetic
A drug that prevents or treats nausea and vomiting, typically
used to treat motion sickness.
Antihistamine
Drug that may be part of some over-the-counter (OTC)
med- icines for allergies and colds. Some antihistamines
cause drowsiness. See “Over-the-Counter.”
Annual Fatality Rate (AFR)
The annual fatality rate is a count of deaths occurring within
one year in a specified population (incidence) divided by
the number of persons in the specified population (the
denominator). AFR is usually expressed as the number of
deaths per 10,000 persons or per 100,000 dives.
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Annual Diving Report – 2012-2015 Edition