Abstract
Scuba diving has become a popular sport resulting in an increased incidence of diving accidents. A survey done by the United States Navy from 1955 to 1960 revealed that decompression sickness (D.C.S.) is the most common serious complication experienced by scuba divers and the third most likely cause of death. The major cause is drowning and the second is arterial gas embolism from pulmonary barotrauma.D.C.S. has been classified into two groups. Type I includes the less severe forms with bubbles in the skin (“itches”), joints and other tissues. Type II includes the serious conditions with neurological involvement “staggers.” A detailed knowledge of D.C.S., commonly known as “the bends,” is essential to both divers and emergency personnel in order to minimize the morbidity and mortality associated with this condition.A case of Type II bends with spinal cord damage is presented and the condition discussed.
Publisher
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
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