Underwater oxygen for treatment of decompression sickness: A review.

Abstract

The problem of decompression sickness (DCS) in remote areas is described with particular reference to the Indo-Pacific islands. The various approaches of medevac, surface and underwater oxygen (UW O2) are addressed and the techniques and equipment used in underwater oxygen are documented. The favourable experience with the original UW O2 tables are compared with the less conservative, more hazardous, oxygen decompressions used by abalone divers and the shorter but successful exposures of the pearl divers. The latter imply that, with very prompt treatment, the 9 m oxygen treatment may be reduced in duration.