Hyperbaric treatment for decompression sickness: current recommendations

Rationale

Decompression sickness (DCS, “bends”) is caused by formation of bubbles in tissues and/or blood when the sum of dissolved gas pressures exceeds ambient pressure (supersaturation) [1]. This may occur when ambient pressure is reduced during any of the following:

• ascent from a dive;
• depressurization of a hyperbaric chamber;
• rapid ascent to altitude in an unpressurised aircraft or hypobaric chamber;
• loss of cabin pressure in an aircraft [2] and
• during space walks.

DOI: 10.22462/10.12.2019.14