Decompression Sickness
Decompression sickness, also known as "the bends," occurs when a person moves from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure too quickly. Decompression sickness is considered a medical emergency.
CAUSES
This condition is caused by gas bubbles that form in your blood and tissues when air or water pressure changes from high to low too quickly. The gas enters your blood when you are in an area of high pressure. Moving from to an area of low pressure too fast does not give your body enough time to clear this gas out of your blood.
RISK FACTORS
This condition is more likely to develop in:
Divers who have been under water for too long and at too great a depth
Anyone flying in an unpressurized aircraft. …show more content…
For this treatment, the person enters a chamber where oxygen is delivered under forced pressure. This dissolves the gas bubbles that developed in the body.
PREVENTION
Do not fly during the first 48 hours after diving.
Do not stay at your deepest depth for longer than recommended. Dive tables can help determine how long you can stay at a certain depth. Remember that dive tables are calculated for young, healthy divers. Make adjustments as needed.
Do not drink alcohol before diving.
Make sure you are rested and well-hydrated before diving.
When diving, descend and rise slowly.
Avoid hot tubs and saunas after diving.
HOME CARE INSTRUCTIONS
Drink enough fluids to keep your urine clear or pale yellow.
Avoid smoking and alcohol.
SEEK IMMEDIATE MEDICAL CARE IF:
You have trouble moving your arms or legs.
You have pain or numbness in your arms or legs.
You lose control of your bladder or bowel movements.
You experience memory loss or vision changes.
You develop chest pain, wheezing, or shortness of breath.
You have a fever.
T T
Decompression sickness, also known as "the bends," occurs when a person moves from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure too quickly. Decompression sickness is considered a medical emergency.
CAUSES
This condition is caused by gas bubbles that form in your blood and tissues when air or water pressure changes from high to low too quickly. The gas enters your blood when you are in an area of high pressure. Moving from to an area of low pressure too fast does not give your body enough time to clear this gas out of your blood.
RISK FACTORS
This condition is more likely to develop in:
Divers who have been under water for too long and at too great a depth
Anyone flying in an unpressurized aircraft. …show more content…
For this treatment, the person enters a chamber where oxygen is delivered under forced pressure. This dissolves the gas bubbles that developed in the body.
PREVENTION
Do not fly during the first 48 hours after diving.
Do not stay at your deepest depth for longer than recommended. Dive tables can help determine how long you can stay at a certain depth. Remember that dive tables are calculated for young, healthy divers. Make adjustments as needed.
Do not drink alcohol before diving.
Make sure you are rested and well-hydrated before diving.
When diving, descend and rise slowly.
Avoid hot tubs and saunas after diving.
HOME CARE INSTRUCTIONS
Drink enough fluids to keep your urine clear or pale yellow.
Avoid smoking and alcohol.
SEEK IMMEDIATE MEDICAL CARE IF:
You have trouble moving your arms or legs.
You have pain or numbness in your arms or legs.
You lose control of your bladder or bowel movements.
You experience memory loss or vision changes.
You develop chest pain, wheezing, or shortness of breath.
You have a fever.
T T