Vestibular Function: Equilibrium and Balance.

The vestibular sense is of major importance in diving, particularly when visibility is poor. Dysfunction, indicated primarily by vertigo, nausea and vomiting is a life-threatening emergency when the diver is in the water with bell-diving it is incapacitating but not life-threatening when an assistant is available to perform essential functions. Vertigo may be a prime cause of accidents with shallow water scuba diving. With deep diving greater than 300 fsw for both research and operational purposes, vestibular dysfunction is increasing as the number of deep dives increases and as greater depths are reached. At sea, remoteness and unfamiliarity with diagnosis and treatment have complicated many cases. Permanent damage to the vestibular system is a serious hindrance to a divers occupation partial and complete recoveries from vestibular problems have occurred, permitting these divers to resume normal activities.