Tag: Decompression Illness

What does ‘ appropriate ’ first aid mean for diving injuries?

What does ‘appropriate’ first aid mean for diving injuries? Oxygen first aid can be beneficial for a variety of situations in general first aid but the provision of high concentrations of oxygen is the cornerstone of first aid for decompression illness.

What does ‘appropriate’ first aid mean for diving injuries?

In a recent Facebook post we advised that the development of symptoms of decompression illness (DCI) can be progressive, for example, what starts as tingling in the feet can sometimes develop into weakness or even paralysis in the legs, so it’s important to start ‘appropriate’ first aid quickly rather than ignoring the symptoms.

But what does ‘appropriate’ first aid mean in the context of diving? Oxygen first aid can be beneficial for a variety of situations in general first aid but the provision of high concentrations of oxygen is the cornerstone of first aid for decompression illness. Oxygen provision is also very beneficial in other dive-related injuries or illness such as lung rupture, drowning and carbon monoxide poisoning, among others.   Continue reading “What does ‘ appropriate ’ first aid mean for diving injuries?”

What Can I do to Try to Avoid Getting DCI?

Here are some strategies that divers can use to try to minimise the risks of DCI – Decompression Illness. Some are backed by evidence, others are not (yet) but are generally and reasonably believed likely to reduce the risk.

A recent DAN AP Facebook “Safety Tip” on ascent rates triggered much discussion and warranted further explanation. The Ascent Rates Safety Tip was part of a broader piece concerning: What Can I do to Try to Avoid Getting DCI?

DAN Asia-Pacific Founder, Chairman and Director of Research, John Lippmann, wrote a book “Decompression Illness: A simple guide and practical advice on the recognition, management and prevention of DCI”, that incorporates a wealth of knowledge from his decades of experience and research into DCI.

John has been actively following developments in decompression illness for nearly thirty years, including taking emergency calls for DAN Asia-Pacific 24 hours a day, seven days a week, almost every day for close to 20 years. As a result, he has dealt with many and varied cases of divers with DCI.  Continue reading “What Can I do to Try to Avoid Getting DCI?”

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