Authors: Sarah Clayton, Claire Walklett / Editors: Claire Ashford, Doug Watts, Lauren Fraser / Reviewers: Sarah Clayton, Claire Walklett / Codes: / Published: 14/06/2022
Diving-related problems are rarely covered during medical school and specialty training and the basic science underpinning diving is often not well understood. Diving-related problems can present in many ways and their appropriate and timely management is essential for good outcomes and patient safety.
After this session, you will be able to:
- Define decompression illness (DCI) and its subtypes
- Understand the gas laws and basic science which underpin the pathophysiology of decompression illness
- Understand the risk factors for developing decompression illness
- Be able to take a basic diving history and examine patients with diving problems
- Understand the importance of oxygen in the early management of decompression illness
- Know who to call for further advice and facilitate further treatment
- Have an appreciation of recompression therapy
- Understand the pathophysiology, presentation and management of some other diving-related conditions
References
- BSAC. Annual Diving Incident Report. 2018. [Accessed July 2019].
- Diving and Subaquatic medicine 4th ed. Edmonds. P111. Chapter 10: Decompression sickness: history and physiology.
- Kindwall E and Whelan H, Hyperbaric Medicine Practice, 3rd Edition (2008), Chapter 4 page 71-89.
- NHS England. Clinical commissioning policy: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for decompression illness/gas embolism (all ages). 2018. [Accessed June 2022].
- Stephenson JC. Pathophysiology, treatment and aeromedical retrieval of SCUBA-related DCI. Journal of Military and Veterans Health. 2009 Jun;17(3):10.
