20-07-2025
Don't ignore patchy 'sunburn' after diving — it could be decompression sickness
KOTA KINABALU: Without proper knowledge, a diving guide would easily brush off a complaint by a scuba diver who has "sunburn" marks on her abdomen or thigh.
Scuba diving medical adviser Lt Col (Dr) Eugene Tan Choon Li said that those patchy marks at unusual sites on the body could be a symptom known as "cutis marmorata", which is associated with decompression sickness.
"During scuba diving, nitrogen moves from high pressure in the lungs into the blood.
"When (a diver) swims up (to the surface) too fast, it does not give the nitrogen enough time to leave the blood and it can form 'bubbles' in the body," he said, adding such a condition could lead to decompression sickness that requires urgent medical attention.
The Kota Kinabalu Regional Armed Forces internal medicine specialist also said that Sabah, being a diving destination, has three hyperbaric chambers — each here, in Sandakan and in Tawau — to treat decompression sickness.
Other diving-related medical conditions such as barotrauma and oxygen toxicity, could happen at sea and within 24 hours after diving.
Those conditions could be avoided with proper briefing from the diving operators and strict adherence to guidelines by certified scuba divers.
Dr Tan was one of the speakers for the Safety Medical Talk 1.0 by the Sabah Dive Squad Club at Universiti Malaysia Sabah's Azman Hashim Gallery here.
The event was also co-organised with Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) and the Borneo Marine Research Institute (BMRI).
During the launching, Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry permanent secretary Datuk Josie Lai said safety-first culture should be nurtured in all activities.
"The ocean is a treasure we are blessed with, but it also comes with responsibilities, especially when it comes to ensuring the safety and well-being of those who explore its depths.
"Diving is not just a sport or hobby; it is a discipline that demands knowledge, preparation and, above all, respect for safety protocols.
"Today's programme is an excellent initiative that brings together divers, professionals and enthusiasts to strengthen awareness on medical and safety issues related to diving," she said.
The ministry's senior principal assistant secretary Mohd Hisham Ujang also presented that the state government is developing a general policy and standard operating procedures (SOP) to improve consistency across all tourism activities in the state.
"This framework is not intended to replace existing SOPs, but it is aimed to set a baseline, ensure minimum safety standards and enable a faster, coordinated government response when needed.
"This guideline aims to set a baseline, ensure minimum safety standards and enable a faster, coordinated government response when needed."
Present was the club president Sim Fui.
There were about 100 participants from the club, dive operators, medical doctors, university lecturers and students, marine professionals, officers from the maritime police, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, Fire and Rescue Department, Navy and related government agencies.
