Can a vein rip?

[coralcrazed]

maybe its a stupid question, I don't know. BUT, on one of my last dives the guys on the boat did not lay down a rubber non skid mat on the dive deck. When it came to my turn off, I took a slip and at the time was only holding on with one hand. My weaker left. Needless to say I was still holding on and I must have twisted it in such a way that I think I tore the vein in my inner elbow. This never happened to me so I was kinda worried about it. I did not expierience any pain or discomfort so I did not think of it as DCS. It was also a fairly shallow 60' dive. I did not even notice it until I got back on the boat when taking the BC off. besides me and my tank landed on the boat mates toe... ouch! what am I complaining about right? should have called the dive huh? especially that I looked out and saw that all of the other divers were like 200 feet away due to current.

[Charles R]

Call the dive for a bruise I wouldnt Maybe the fact that the other divers were 200' away were you able to catch up with your buddy or did you dive solo?

[ertechsg]

The larger veins are too elastic to tear apart but the smaller one are were brusies come from when the break.

[Charles R]

Sorry yes a vein can rip tear and break it ussally results in a bruise that is what a bruise is the veins or capiliaries near the surface of the skin being broken

[jo8243]

I'd just call DAN and ask them. Doesn't cost anything to call.

I've never heard of tearing a large vein, though. A ligament/tendon maybe.....?

[coralcrazed]

Originally Posted by jo8243

I'd just call DAN and ask them. Doesn't cost anything to call.

I've never heard of tearing a large vein, though. A ligament/tendon maybe.....?

well this happened over three weeks ago and I did have a bruise for about a week. not unlike the kind that I get when the doc takes some blood. and come to think of it. they did take some blood from me about one week prior to this incident. all is ok now and no i'll effects but I may call dan just to find out some more info if there is any on the subject. thanks

also I do remember that I felt more like a streatching sensation while I was falling and trying to break the fall which my left arm did for the most part.

[diverdad]

It's called bruising , not a problem unless you have other health problems.

[scubasamurai]

my turn, the tearing sensation might be related to hyperextending the ligamnets in the joint, or even the tendons them selves. the brusing is caused by blood leaking into the surrounding fat (sq) tissue, usually from hitting something. it is not a tear, if it was your entire elbow would be black and blue from the wrist to the elbow. more than likely it was a contusion from a large area just getting crushed and the blood leaking out from the capillaries etc.

just ice it for the first 24 48 hours after injury and keep it elevated ( put it on a pillow) to help with any swelling if it was a large bruise.

and pop a cold one and make sure you wear non slip booties or shoes.

[crpntr133]

A buddy of mine did something similar and ended up having shoulder surgery. He didn't feel anything wrong till after the dive. He was in some pain afterwards for a couple weeks.

[coralcrazed]

the bruise was actually about a baseball size and was only sore in onesmall area. no swelling. I did not treat it at all except for taking it easy and rested for a couple of days and did someting else buy dive. It felt better by the third day so went diving and about a week later it started to go away. I don't think I hit it... my arm was in a funny position when I was trying to hold on after the fall. like I said I felt no pain so I did not even look at it before the dive. Thanks for all of your help.