What is DCS risk?

The Bends, also known as decompression sickness (DCS) occurs when nitrogen bubbles form in the blood, often causing severe joint pain. The common name “The Bends” comes from an affected person doubling (bending) over due to the intense pain of the condition.

Why is decompression sickness so serious?

Damage to the brain can cause vision impairment, headaches, confusion and problems with balance and coordination. Cases that lead to strokes, seizures, paralysis and death are often due to arterial gas embolism: air bubbles that form in one place but get lodged in the heart, lung or brain.

What happens if decompression sickness goes untreated?

Untreated bends cause damage! Failure to treat promptly and appropriately may lead to permanent impairment.

How can you reduce the risk of decompression sickness?

You can also reduce your risk of developing decompression sickness by:

1. slowly approaching the surface.
2. diving on a good night’s sleep.
3. drinking plenty of water beforehand.
4. avoiding air travel shortly after diving.
5. spacing out your dives, ideally by at least a day.
6. not spending too much time in high-pressure depths.

How long does DCS last?

The duration of “the dive” within the chamber varies, but can be up to 12 hours and sometimes longer. At this depth or chamber pressure, bubbles are reduced in size or reabsorbed to ensure adequate blood flow. Recompression prevents further bubble formation and provides high amounts of oxygen to the injured tissues.

Can DCS go away on its own?

While very minor symptoms of DCS may go away with just rest and over the counter pain medications, it is thought that treatment with recompression and oxygen is ideal to prevent any possible long term effects from the injury.

How long can decompression sickness last?

After several days of diving, a period of 12 to 24 hours (for example, 15 hours) at the surface is commonly recommended before flying or going to a higher altitude. People who have completely recovered from mild decompression sickness should refrain from diving for at least 2 weeks.

What is decompression sickness and how can it be prevented?

Decompression sickness risk can be reduced by increased ambient temperature during decompression following dives in cold water. body type – typically, a person who has a high body fat content is at greater risk of DCS.

What are the risk factors for decompression sickness (DCS)?

Although the occurrence of DCS is not easily predictable, many predisposing factors are known. They may be considered as either environmental or individual. Decompression sickness and arterial gas embolism in recreational diving are associated with certain demographic, environmental, and dive style factors.

Can dehydration increase your risk of decompression sickness?

Dehydration can increase your risk of decompression sickness Most diving organisations and dive companies will always encourage you to keep hydrated when scuba diving. If your body and your bodily tissues are well hydrated they will perform better. Which includes decompressing on your ascent from a dive.

What are the risks of decompression sickness during space flight?

Thus, in addition to the health risk associated with any occurrence of DCS, an occurrence of DCS during spaceflight carries the additional risk associated with delayed initiation of treatment as well as the secondary concern of the potential for loss of productivity. Risk of Decompression Sickness (DCS)