First Aid and DCI Treatment

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 emergency number in the UK on 07 999 292 999 for free advice 24/7 all year round.

First Aid For DCI and Diving Accidents

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)

  • Give 100% oxygen (by means of a tight fitting mask).
  • Lay the casualty down and keep them horizontal. This prevents conditions worsening with bubbles travelling to the brain. If the diver loses consciousness put the diver into the recovery position.
  • Give fluids orally (aim for 1 litre an hour and no alcohol or caffeine). Only give if the casualty is able to take them unaided and ideally the fluid should be isotonic.
  • Keep the patient comfortable.
  • Protect against Hypothermia. Cover with blankets or thermal shields.
  • Consider the buddy, are there two or more casualties?
  • No in-water recompression.
  • Never give Entonox to suspected DCI / AE cases.

Call our emergency 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.

Decompression Illness 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.

A typical Hyperbaric Chamber

  • Assessment

    Before treatment is started, the patient is throughly assessed by a doctor.

  • Diving History

    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.

  • Neurological Assessment

    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.

  • Routine Tests

    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 emergency 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.