Assessment
Before treatment is started, the patient is throughly assessed by a doctor.
The sooner treatment for DCI begins the better. First Aiders can start treatment straight away. However, the patient will also require hyperbaric treatment and medical help should be sought immediately. Call our Divers Emergency Service in the UK on 07 999 292 999 for free advice 24/7 all year round.
First aid for decompression illness (DCI) or arterial gas embolism (AGE) is the same for either condition. Firstly, remember….
A AIRWAYS
B BREATHING
C CIRCULATION
D DEFIBRILLATION
Example of a First Aid Oxygen kit from the Divers Alert Network (DAN)
Call our Divers Emergency Service number in the UK on 07 999 292 999.
We are available 24 hours a day, all year round.
Get free advice and referrals for NHS-funded treatment.
Patients are treated using recompression. This simply means that they are placed into a chamber in which the pressure is increased and decreased to simulate a safe ascent.
Divers suffering decompression illness (DCI) are placed into a chamber which is then pressurised with air. The internal pressure is set to the equivalent of a set sea depth. The diver then breathes pure oxygen through a mask or something akin to a clear plastic helmet. Sometimes the patient might require Heliox or Nitrox gas variants. This happens for set periods of time separated by ‘airbreaks’ of between 5 and 15 minutes. A treatment usually between about 2 and 5 hours, however they may be longer dependent on the severity of the DCI.
Before treatment is started, the patient is throughly assessed by a doctor.
The assessment will usually include taking a detailed history of the diver and the dives made. This could include looking at data from dive computers and log books.
The doctor will ask the diver to perform a series of simple tests such as balance and coordination tests and tests to check strength and sensation.
The tests will include very routine checks of heart rate, breathing rate and possibly an in-depth Electro Cardiogram (ECG) or X-ray.
Call our Divers Emergency Service number in the UK on 07 999 292 999.
We are available 24 hours a day, all year round.
Get free advice and referrals for NHS-funded treatment.
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Call 07 999 292 999 for free advice and referrals to NHS-funded hyperbaric treatment for Decompression Illness (DCI) and Diving Accidents .
Based in London and Great Yarmouth we can handle calls from throughout the UK - available 24 hours a day, all years round.
The Divers Emergency Service is part of the LHM Healthcare group.
Whipps Cross Hospital,
Whipps Cross Road
LONDON E11 1RG
Visit https://www.lhmhealthcare.com for details of Medical & Hyperbaric Training Courses, information for medical professionals, and more.
Non-emergency enquiries: +44 (0)20 8539 1222
available Monday - Friday, 08:30 - 17:00
Many of the London Hyperbaric team are also experienced fellow divers. With close ties to diving clubs and different professional bodies. London Hyperbaric can offer a wide range of information and services tailored to the needs of both professional and recreational divers.
HSE and other occupational medicals; sportdiving medicals; dry dives; diving advice; and much more
Visit https://www.londonhyperbaric.com to find out more.
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