Treatment for Divers with DCI

What happens when you get treated for DCI at DDRC?

The diving casualty will be taken into the examination room, all dive kit will be removed and a neurological examination will be done by the duty doctor.
If needed an intravenous cannula will be inserted into a vein to allow fluids to be given.
If needed a urinary catheter will be passed into the bladder to aid the drainage of urine.
Dry cotton clothes will be supplied and the treatment procedure in the hyperbaric chamber will be explained.
The buddy and any associates will be questioned and examined if necessary to exclude any diving related problems.
Possible treatment tables for Decompression Illness (DCI) include:

• USN 5 - missed decompression (2hrs 15min. minimum)
• USN 6 - suspected decompression illness (4hrs 45min. minimum)
• Comex 30 - suspected gas embolism or serious suspected decompression illness (7hrs 30min. minimum)

If you have a diving computer we will attempt to download your dive profile.

You will be accompanied into the hyperbaric chamber by an attendant who will look after you for the whole period. This attendant may be a nurse or a diver medic.

Following the first treatment a decision will be made as to whether or not hospital accommodation (and treatment) is needed. If not we have bed and breakfast accommodation within walking distance.

You will be asked to stay approximately 24hrs after your initial treatment session if possible to ensure that there is no relapse of your condition.

Further sessions of Hyperbaric Oxygen may be required and these will be discussed with you as necessary.

Family and or friends are welcome to the unit most of the time, however for obvious reasons we request that the numbers are kept to a minimum especially during the initial emergency treatment.