In-water Recompression

[M&P+4]

I just read the article on inwater recompression to treat DCS. It was an interesting read....did anyone else get a chance to read it yet? I often wondered why it was discouraged. This article seems to explain both sides of the topic well. Anyone have any thoughts on the subject?

[Atlaua]

I just read the article on inwater recompression to treat DCS. It was an interesting read....did anyone else get a chance to read it yet? I often wondered why it was discouraged. This article seems to explain both sides of the topic well. Anyone have any thoughts on the subject?

I posted this here (with the author's permission). It and the "fizzyolgy" are both from the same author and are articles I've kept for a while because I like them so much.

IWR is a touchy subject. Many in the dive industy don't like it at all. It's not to be toyed with. Consider a few facts:

1. To do IWR, you must have enough oxygen on the boat to breath for hours underwater.
2. You must have safety/assist divers to be able to support the victim.
3. The victim must be able to breath from a full face mask (FFM).
4. You must have an FFM because of the risk of CNS toxicity.
5. The victim must have proper exposure protection to spend the required time in the water without becoming hypothermic.
6. You must know the tables.

In other words. IWR is not for the meek :). If you are on a boat and think your bent, get to a chamber fast. However, if you ever find yourself in a situation where you are days away from a chamber...I would hope that you are prepaired to take "unusal" steps for your survial. And by prepaired I mean, I hope you've taken all the above into account before the dive :).

James

[M&P+4]

articles I've kept for a while


I did notice that the latest reference for the article was dated 1993....I bet there must be more info out there.

[DeepDiverBob]

I would also like to add that if you are in a chamber, the medical staff can pump you up with fluids and drugs, if needed.

From most of the stories I have heard about people getting bent, besides just ignoring tables, computers, whatever, is the fact they are probably dehydrated and need the I.V.

Just my two cents worth.

[M&P+4]

This got me looking for the nearest chambers. You can check out this website to find them nearest you dive locations....not that anyone plans on needing it, but it doesn't hurt to know.

http://www.scuba-doc.com/divminn.htm

[DeepDiverBob]

Actually, you dont need to know. In any case, you are suppose to go to the hospital first, and the hospital will make the determination if you need to go to a chamber or not. When I did my Emergency Assistance Plan for my Divemaster, I contacted DAN about finding my nearest chamber, and they told me no to bother, because of the reasons I mentioned above.