Call the nearest chamber.
Do not wait to see if the symptoms pass.
Emergencies & first aid
Know the signs. Act early. Make the call.
Treated early, the chance of full recovery from decompression illness is high. When in doubt, call the nearest chamber.
Emergency first aid
If you suspect decompression illness, start these steps and get to a chamber. Work them in order - the call leads on purpose, because it starts everything else.
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Keep the diver at rest.
Lay the diver flat, on one side. This keeps the airway clear if the diver vomits.
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If the diver is unresponsive but breathes normally, use the recovery position.
Stay with the diver. Watch the breathing.
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Give the diver medical oxygen.
Use medical oxygen as soon as it is available. Give the highest concentration you have.
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Treat the diver for shock.
Keep the diver warm and hydrated.
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Do not delay.
Early recompression gives the best chance of full recovery.
Further reading
From Divers Alert Network
Back to Basics
By Divers Alert Network, first published in Alert Diver, Q2 Spring 2014.
“Decompression illness is a fascinating condition that lurks in the shadows of divers’ minds, reminding us that we are vulnerable and that our push to explore is tempered by potential consequences.”
It explains how decompression sickness and arterial gas embolism differ, and why both are treated with recompression and hyperbaric oxygen.
Read the full article at dan.org ›