Decompression Sickness

Question 1

What is decompression sickness?

Answer 1

• DCS ( de-compression sickness) AKA divers disease
• Caused by nitrogen which is normally dissolved into body fluid coming out of solution and forming bubbles throughout the nervous system and elsewhere

Question 2

What causes decompression sickness?

Answer 2

• A rapid decrease in pressure that surrounds you, of either water or air
• Can result from fly after scuba diving, but not snorkelling

Question 3

Describe The Bends

Answer 3

Within the joints - aching joints

Question 4

Describe The Creeps:

Answer 4

Within the skin - tingling skin

Question 5

Describe The Staggers

Answer 5

Within the nervous system - partial paralysis

Question 6

Describe The Chokes:

Answer 6

Within the lungs - possibly fatal

Question 7

How can decompression sickness be prevented?

Answer 7

• Avoid diving then flying in less than the recommended times
• Multiple dive in one day or over a series of time, lengthen wait time
  During diving, take recompression stops

Question 8

How can decompression be treated?

Answer 8

• Emergency treatment = maintaining blood pressure and administering oxygen
• HYPERBARIC OXYGEN CHAMBER - patient receives 100% oxygen
  This reverses pressure changes that allowed the gas bubbles to form in the first place, back into liquid form

Question 9

What’re are the effects of an explosive decompression on the body?

Answer 9

• Occurs at a rate swifter than at which air can escape from the lungs, typically in less than 0.1 to 0.5 seconds
  The risk of lung trauma is very high as is the danger from any unsecured objects that can become projectiles because of the explosive force.

Question 10

What are the actions that must be taken in the event of an explosive decompression?

Answer 10

• Breath out
• Immediately don the nearest oxygen mask
• Sit down fasten you seat belt, or grasp a fixed object

Question 11

What are the dangers of flying after diving?

Answer 11

• Increases the pressure differential a person is exposed to, and increases the risk of decompression sickness

Question 12

What are the approximate required time between diving at various depths and flying?

Answer 12

• 12hrs from 10m or less
• 24hrs for 10m or more
• If forced to fly, stay low to minimise pressure differentials