Decompression sickness is a disorder that is usually experienced by divers, with symptoms such as dizziness, body feeling weak, to shortness of breath. This condition occurs when the body senses changes in water or air pressure that are too fast, so that nitrogen in the blood forms bubbles that clog blood vessels and organ tissues.
Causes of Decompression sickness
Decompression sickness is the result of changes in pressure, either water or air, that occur too quickly. For example when diving, decompression sickness will appear if the process of returning to the surface is not carried out gradually, or without applying safety stop (stopping for a few minutes at a certain depth) according to the basic rules of diving safety.
Basically, the body needs time to adapt to changes in pressure. If pressure changes occur too quickly, the nitrogen contained in the blood will form bubbles that can clog blood vessels and organ tissues. Then, blocked blood vessels or organ tissue can cause pain and other symptoms.
There are several factors that increase a person's risk of developing decompression sickness, including:
- Dehydration.
- Direct flight after diving.
- Obesity.
- Over 30 years old.
- Have heart disease.
Symptoms of Decompression sickness
Symptoms of decompression sickness can vary from person to person, depending on the location of the blockage. Common symptoms of decompression sickness include:
- Pain in the joints.
- Dizzy.
- Body feels weak.
- Hard to breathe.
- Rash.
- There are parts of the body that feel tingling and numb.
Diagnosis of Decompression sickness
In diagnosing, the doctor will ask questions related to risk factors and how to dive last. The doctor will also conduct an examination of the symptoms that appear, the history of the disease, and the patient's condition as a whole.
Decompression sickness treatment
In on-site emergency management, the first step is to lie the patient in a supine position. Then, dry the patient's body and warm it with a blanket if there is a decrease in body temperature. If possible, give the patient high-flow oxygen through a mask.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a method used to treat decompression sickness. This therapy uses a device in the form of a special tube or chamber that functions to simulate pressure. The pressure in the tube prevents the nitrogen from forming bubbles in the blood, and converts the bubbles back into a gas that dissolves in the blood. However, consideration of hyperbaric oxygen therapy depends on the severity of the symptoms.
Prevention of Decompression sickness
Decompression sickness is a preventable condition. For divers, the following steps can prevent decompression sickness from occurring:
- Obey safety rules and orders from dive instructors.
- Consult the instructor regarding the depth and duration of the dive.
- If necessary, use dive computer or special tools that can help divers measure the depth to the remaining dive duration.
- Apply safety stop or stop for a few minutes at a certain depth (usually 4-5 meters), before returning to the surface.
- Avoid flying or traveling to high altitudes for at least 24 hours after diving.
- A person recovering from decompression sickness, it is recommended not to dive first, for at least 2 weeks.
- Avoid consuming alcohol before and after diving.
- Avoid saunas or hot showers after diving.
- Make sure the body fluids are sufficient or not dehydrated.
If you have a high risk of decompression, such as heart disease and asthma, don't dive until you consult a doctor, as there are some conditions that don't allow a person to dive.