Medicine and Health· Decompression Illness

A pressure attack, bends or decompression illness (DCI), comes about due to the formation of bubbles in the blood or tissue, and is produced by the inadequate elimination of inert gas dissolved during a dive or exposure to a certain level of pressure.

Accidents due to decompression occur for many reasons such as not abiding by the diving tables or the decompression stops (in order to give the tissue time to recover) or the speed of ascent (15 meters per second is recommended).

DCI symptoms become apparent shortly after the dive o after any other exposure to pressure, even within the 24 hours following the dive. They are usually divided into three groups:

• Type I Symptoms: These are mild symptoms that only produce pain. They include patchy skin, pain in joints and muscles. They are not life-threatening.
  • Type II Symptoms: These are fairly serious symptoms such as the blockage of joints due to air bubbles. If such disturbances occur on a regular basis, this can result in bone deformations which is why it is advisable to treat them as soon as possible.
  • Type III Symptoms: These are very serious symptoms that come about when the air bubbles reach the spinal column. This can affect the central nervous system, the respiratory system and the circulatory system leading to neurological problems and even the diver’s death.

Whenever any sign of decompression illness is detected, the diver should be treated as soon as possible. The use of decompression chambers is always preferred to that of recompression in the water.

When transporting the patient, he must be lying down with legs lifted high so as to oxygenate the brain. In the event of the patient’s unconsciousness it is advisable to lay him on his left side to avoid a bronco inhalation.

Recompression in the water is considered an option but as a last resort only, to be used when there is no chamber in the proximities of the diving area and there is no chance of getting to a hyperbaric center within a period of 12 hours.