Compression Decompression Sickness Symptom Management

Compression Decompression Sickness

Symptom Management

• Mild symptoms:
  • Pain relief with analgesics (e.g., acetaminophen or ibuprofen)
  • Rest and relaxation
  • Oxygen therapy (100% oxygen breathing)
• Moderate symptoms:
  • Recompression therapy in a hyperbaric chamber
  • Oxygen therapy (100% oxygen breathing)
  • Monitoring for signs of worsening condition
• Severe symptoms:
  • Immediate recompression therapy in a hyperbaric chamber
  • Aggressive oxygen therapy (100% oxygen breathing)
  • Supportive care (e.g., fluids, pain management)
  • Monitoring for signs of cardiovascular or neurological instability

Prevention Methods

• Safe diving practices:
  • Gradual ascent from depth to avoid rapid changes in pressure
  • Making safety stops during ascent to allow for gradual decompression
  • Avoiding excessive depth or time at depth
  • Staying within established dive tables or computer guidelines
• Proper equipment use:
  • Regularly maintaining and inspecting scuba gear
  • Using equipment designed for the specific diving environment (e.g., cold water, technical diving)
  • Ensuring proper fitting and function of scuba gear
• Pre-dive preparation:
  • Physical conditioning and health checks before diving
  • Avoiding diving with certain medical conditions (e.g., lung or heart problems)
  • Staying hydrated and avoiding fatigue before diving
  • Briefing and planning dives with a buddy or team

Compression Decompression Sickness

Symptom Management

• Mild symptoms:
  • Treated with pain relief using analgesics (e.g., acetaminophen or ibuprofen)
  • Require rest and relaxation
  • Benefit from oxygen therapy with 100% oxygen breathing

Moderate Symptoms

• Require recompression therapy in a hyperbaric chamber
• Need oxygen therapy with 100% oxygen breathing
• Require monitoring for signs of worsening condition

Severe Symptoms

• Require immediate recompression therapy in a hyperbaric chamber
• Need aggressive oxygen therapy with 100% oxygen breathing
• Require supportive care, including fluids and pain management
• Need monitoring for signs of cardiovascular or neurological instability

Prevention Methods

Safe Diving Practices

• Gradual ascent from depth to avoid rapid changes in pressure
• Making safety stops during ascent to allow for gradual decompression
• Avoiding excessive depth or time at depth
• Staying within established dive tables or computer guidelines

Proper Equipment Use

• Regular maintenance and inspection of scuba gear
• Using equipment designed for the specific diving environment (e.g., cold water, technical diving)
• Ensuring proper fitting and function of scuba gear

Pre-Dive Preparation

• Physical conditioning and health checks before diving
• Avoiding diving with certain medical conditions (e.g., lung or heart problems)
• Staying hydrated and avoiding fatigue before diving
• Briefing and planning dives with a buddy or team