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Hyperbaric treatment for decompression sickness: current recommendations

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.

DOI: 10.22462/10.12.2019.14