Decompression Illness
Definition
Incidence
Risk Factors
Symptoms
Evaluation
Treatment
Warning Signs
Prevention
Underlying Cause
Trusted Sites
Decompression Illness Warning Signs
After diving, seek emergency care for:
Chest pain
Difficulty breathing
Difficulty walking
Joint pain (multiple joints)
Neck swelling
Chest
swelling
Numbness
in an arm or leg:
Arm numbness (unilateral)
Leg numbness (unilateral)
Seizures
Skin bruising
Skin rash
Sudden
numbness in one arm
or leg:
Arm numbness (unilateral)
Leg numbness (unilateral)
Arm and leg numbness (unilateral)
Sudden
weakness in one arm
or leg:
Arm weakness (unilateral)
Leg weakness (unilateral)
Arm and leg weakness (unilateral)
Continue to
Decompression Illness Prevention
Related Topics:
Air embolism
Barotitis media
Chest pain
Difficulty breathing
Difficulty walking
Scuba injuries
More...
Chest pain
Difficulty breathing
Joint pains
Muscle aches
Rash
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Last Updated: May 30, 2008
References
Authors:
Stephen J. Schueler, MD
;
John H. Beckett, MD
;
D. Scott Gettings, MD
Copyright 1989-2008
DSHI Systems, Inc.
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Decompression Illness References:
Arness MK. Scuba decompression illness and diving fatalities in an overseas military community. Aviat Space Environ Med. 1997 Apr;68(4):325-33.
Freiberger JJ, Lyman SJ, Denoble PJ, Pieper CF, Vann RD.Consensus factors used by experts in the diagnosis of decompression illness. Aviat Space Environ Med. 2004 Dec;75(12):1023-8.
Germonpre P. Patent foramen ovale and diving. Cardiol Clin. 2005 Feb;23(1):97-104.
Hunt JC. Diving the wreck: risk and injury in sport scuba diving. Psychoanal Q. 1996 Jul;65(3):591-622.
Moon RE, de Lisle Dear G, Stolp BW. Treatment of decompression illness and latrogenic gas embolism. Respir Care Clin N Am. 1999 Mar;5(1):93-135.
Smerz RW. Age associated risks of recreational scuba diving. Hawaii Med J. 2006 May;65(5):140-1, 153.
Tetzlaff K, Shank ES, Muth CM. Evaluation and management of decompression illness--an intensivist's perspective. Intensive Care Med. 2003 Dec;29(12):2128-36.
Tetzlaff K, Thorsen E.Breathing at depth: physiologic and clinical aspects of diving while breathing compressed gas. Clin Chest Med. 2005 Sep;26(3):355-80, v.
