Hyperbaric treatment for decompression sickness: current recommendations

Abstract

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.