If you heard about the decompression sickness or “bends”, this is the result of nitrogen dissolving in the divers’ tissues and creating bubbles in the blood due to high air pressure while the divers are underwater. Bends can affect the cognitive function and musculoskeletal system of the welders which can lead to paralysis. In extreme cases, “bends sickness” can stop the beating of the heart.
Drowning is also a contributing factor in the increase of the underwater welding death rate. But how could this possibly happen if the welders are linked to hoses carrying oxygen?
According to the report from OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), in 1990 -1997 alone, of the 116 diving deaths in the US, 49 of these happened during occupational diving or commercial diving like underwater inspection, maintenance, repair and construction and the main cause is drowning.
But again, how does drowning add up to the underwater welder death rate when welders are loaded up with oxygen?
Here are the reasons based on the studies:
Umbilical cords (cables and hoses) accidentally got twisted which triggers panic and anxiety attacks on the divers and later caused drowning.
There is the absence of spotters that should be watching the welders and the entangled divers drowned.
The welder got disabled due to the lack of air because of cord entanglement and there was insufficient time in saving the welders.