DECOMPRESSION SICKNESS
TREATMENTS |
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Decompression Sickness is treated by giving the patient oxygen and placing him or her
in a hyperbaric chamber, an enclosure in which the air pressure is
first gradually increased and then gradually decreased. This shrinks
the bubbles and allows the nitrogen to safely diffuse out of the
tissues. Hyperbaric chamber facilities exist throughout the United
States. No matter how mild one's symptoms may appear, immediate
transportation to a facility is essential. Treatment is necessary
even if the symptoms clear up before the facility is reached,
because bubbles may still be in the bloodstream and pose a threat.
DAN maintains a list of facilities and a 24-hour hotline that can
provide advice on handling Decompression Sickness and other diving emergencies. |
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| DECOMPRESSION SICKNESS RELATED ITEMS |
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