If you experience symptoms of decompression sickness after scuba diving or flying, get to a doctor as soon as you can. Hyperbaric treatment is most successful if given within several hours after symptoms start. Most cases of decompression sickness respond well to a single treatment with hyperbaric oxygen.
What is decompression sickness and how can you treat it?
What to do
- Contact emergency services. Watch for symptoms of decompression sickness. ...
- Contact DAN. You can also contact DAN, which operates an emergency phone line 24 hours a day. ...
- Concentrated oxygen. In more mild cases, you may not notice symptoms until a few hours or even days after a dive. ...
- Recompression therapy. ...
Does mild decompression sickness go away on its own?
This DCI denial is considered as one of the first symptoms of decompression illness and often leads to a delay in seeking medical advice. Sometimes these symptoms remain mild and go away by themselves, however, they often continue to persist or even increase in severity and medical advice will need to be sought.
How do you treat decompression sickness?
What causes Decompression Sickness?
- Dive well rested (especially if you are planning on doing one of those BIG dives on your bucket list!).
- Give yourself plenty of surface time in between dives to get rid of extra nitrogen.
- Maintain a reasonable level of fitness for the sort of diving you want to do, get a medical check-up regularly and stay hydrated.
How serious is decompression sickness?
These symptoms do not threaten life but may precede more dangerous problems. The more severe type of decompression sickness most commonly results in neurologic symptoms, which range from mild numbness to paralysis and death. The spinal cord is especially vulnerable.
What is decompression sickness?
Decompression sickness, also called generalized barotrauma or the bends, refers to injuries caused by a rapid decrease in the pressure that surrounds you, of either air or water. It occurs most commonly in scuba or deep-sea divers, although it also can occur during high-altitude or unpressurized air travel.
Why do nitrogen bubbles cause decompression sickness?
The condition is called the bends because the joint and bone pains can be so severe they double you over. What happens inside your body during decompression sickness is similar to what happens when you open a carbonated drink.
What happens when you scuba dive with compressed air?
Your body uses the oxygen, but the nitrogen is dissolved into your blood, where it remains during your dive. As you swim back toward the surface after a deep dive, the water pressure around you decreases.
Can decompression sickness be treated with oxygen?
Most cases of decompression sickness respond well to a single treatment with hyperbaric oxygen. Your doctor may suggest repeated treatments if you continue to experience symptoms, especially neurological symptoms.
What is the difference between DCS and decompression sickness?
Experts have classified DCS as Type I with symptoms involving only the skin, musculoskeletal system, or lymphatic systems; and Type II with symptoms that involve the central nervous system. Decompression sickness (DCS) occurs when dissolved gasses (usually nitrogen or helium, used in mixed gas diving) exit solution and form bubbles inside ...
Is decompression sickness a long term condition?
Complications. Decompression sickness can cause long-term damage. Central nervous system lesions in the spine and brain may occur.
What is the end point of decompression sickness?
If this event gives rise to immediate symptoms, recompression is remarkably effective. This end-point is characteristic of joint pain, that is, Type 1 decompression sickness.
Is recompression effective for joint pain?
If this event gives rise to immediate symptoms, recompression is remarkably effective. This end-point is characteristic of joint pain, that is, Type 1 decompression sickness. Unfortunately the onset of serious Type 2 decompression sickness may be insidious and the delay may be associated with blood-brain barrier dysfunction.
What is decompression illness?
Decompression illness is caused by intravascular or extravascular bubbles that are formed as a result of reduction in environmental pressure (decompression).
What is the risk of decompression?
Risk of decompression illness is affected by immersion, exercise, and heat or cold. Manifestations range from itching and minor pain to neurological symptoms, cardiac collapse, and death. First-aid treatment is 100% oxygen and definitive treatment is recompression to increased pressure, breathing 100% oxygen.
What Is Decompression Sickness?
Symptoms
- Symptoms of decompression sickness include: 1. Joint pain 2. Dizziness 3. Headache 4. Difficulty thinking clearly 5. Extreme fatigue 6. Tingling or numbness 7. Weakness in arms or legs 8. A skin rash
Diagnosis
- Your diving history and symptoms are key factors in diagnosing decompression sickness. Blood tests and joint X-rays usually do not show any signs of the problem.
Prevention
- To minimize the risk of decompression sickness while diving: 1. Dive and rise slowly in the water, and don't stay at your deepest depth longer than recommended. Scuba divers typically use dive tables that show how long you can remain at a given depth. 2. Do not fly within 24 hours after diving. 3. Don't drink alcohol before diving. 4. Avoid hot tubs, saunas or hot baths after diving. 5. …
Treatment
- Emergency treatment for decompression sickness involves maintaining blood pressure and administering high-flow oxygen. Fluids also may be given. The person should be placed left side down and if possible the head of the bed tilted down. The optimal treatment is the use of a hyperbaric oxygen chamber, which is a high-pressure chamber in which the pa...
When to Call A Professional
- If you experience symptoms of decompression sickness after scuba diving or flying, get to a doctor as soon as you can. Hyperbaric treatment is most successful if given within several hours after symptoms start.
Prognosis
- Most cases of decompression sickness respond well to a single treatment with hyperbaric oxygen. Your doctor may suggest repeated treatments if you continue to experience symptoms, especially neurological symptoms.
Further Information
- Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances. Medical Disclaimer