The Bends – Decompression Sickness, the Most Common Diving Injury

Stop ascending immediately if numbness, tingling, confusion, or weakness appears after snorkelling. Call emergency services without delay, because early action changes outcomes in gas-embolism cases affecting lungs and brain.

Pathology arises when compressed gas bubbles form during ascent; bubbles travel through tissues and blood, causing joint pain, weakness, or respiratory symptoms. Involves bubbles that may affect lungs, brain, and skin, with risk rising when ascent is rapid or when conditions include cold water and heavy exertion. Known patterns include a delay between surface and symptom onset, sometimes hours after finish.

Early signs include joint ache, muffled hearing, dizziness, headache, weakness, and difficulty breathing. Normally, symptoms cluster in chest, limbs, or nervous system. Before symptoms worsen, prioritize safety and seek medical evaluation; Only medical evaluation ensures proper treatment, and first aid with 100% oxygen can reduce bubble size and improve outcomes.

Risk factors include lengthy exposures, rapid ascent, and buoyancy challenges. Cold water, heavy exertion, and multiple sessions known to increase risk. A particular pattern is that even during snorkelling near depth transitions, harm may occur if ascent is rushed. Condition stability matters for safety, and 이 involves unpredictable bubble growth affecting lungs and cardiovascular system.

Prevention measures center on planning, slow ascent rates, safety stops, and strict buoyancy control. Normally, divers should maintain neutral buoyancy, breathe steadily, and avoid spent energy during ascent. Before surfacing, verify equipment and weather conditions, and keep an eye on signs of trouble. furthermore, staying with experienced companions increases safety during snorkelling sessions.

The Bends: Decompression Sickness – Immediate First Aid Measures

Act quickly to minimize tissue involvement and promote your recovery. Follow pre-planned rescue steps, act safely, and prioritize oxygen delivery for safety of all.

1. Call emergency services immediately and alert onboard operators; trigger pre-planned rescue protocol. In many boats, crew know steps that move into action fast.
2. Move diver to fresh air safely and place in a relaxed, supine position with head slightly elevated; avoid strenuous activity; keep warm to support normal body function.
3. Administer 100% oxygen via mask as soon as possible; oxygen helps bubbles dissolve and improves lungs and tissue oxygenation during transport.
4. Monitor breathing and circulation; if breathing stops, begin CPR per training; watch for issues such as confusion, numbness, chest pain, or signs of paralysis or other neurologic involvement.
5. Arrange fastest possible transport to hyperbaric facility; avoid air travel until medical clearance; faster treatment reduces risk of lingering symptoms and supports recovery across tissues.
6. Record time of surfacing, symptoms, and dive details; share knowledge with clinicians; this information supports planned care and helps address what to treat and when to expect improvement.
7. On scene, keep patient hydrated cautiously, avoid food or drink if consciousness is impaired; maintain body warmth; after stabilization, follow planned sessions for monitoring and rehabilitation; involve family, which helps emotional comfort and memories of this event; many people recover well with prompt care.
8. Explain to family what happened, what to watch for, and how to return to activities safely; this reduces anxiety and supports memories across worlds of aquatic pursuits.
9. After stabilization, continue under medical guidance; longer-term care may involve additional sessions to ensure normal function and address lingering issues.

Recognize signs and timing after ascent

Stop exertion if signs increase after ascent; should seek prompt medical evaluation if any new symptom appears.

Watch for joint ache, chest tightness, dizziness, numbness, fatigue, confusion, or skin rash; each signal may affect safety; different type of symptoms may appear.

Timing matters: symptoms may appear within 10 minutes to 2 hours after ascent; rapid ascents increase risk, especially under hot conditions.

Prevent dehydration by steady fluid intake before, during, and after sessions; avoid alcohol; keep warmth stable; reduce sudden motions during ascent; think pace matters; this helps prevent rapid transitions.

Among divers, freedivers should absorb nitrogen gradually; favorite checklist item is monitoring signals; particular symptoms include joint or muscle ache, fatigue, dizziness, or malaise.

Post ascent, monitor range of effects and what to do if signs are getting worse: stop activity, get professional help; ensure access to oxygen, if available.

During getaways or surface breaks, continue checks; thats why awareness matters for each ascent and its aftercare.

Immediate on-site actions: stop diving, administer 100% oxygen, monitor

Stop exertion now and deliver 100% oxygen with a mask; stay still and breathe slowly; if still in water, signal buddy and perform a controlled ascent to surface while keeping calm.

Monitor vital signs every few minutes: level of consciousness, breathing effort, chest discomfort, and any confusion. If symptoms worsen or new issues appear, contact medical team immediately and follow local emergency plans.

Use high-flow oxygen (15 L/min) via non-rebreather mask or hood; maintain for at least 30 minutes or longer if symptoms persist, until additional guidance arrives.

Record onset time, symptom changes, and hydration status; note factors causing issue and share details with medical responders. Know whether any prior episodes exist, and describe experience with similar symptoms.

Plan transport to medical facility promptly; avoid further ascent or flight for 24 hours after symptoms begin or fully resolve, based on medical advice.

Early actions lead to greater confidence and fewer issues; site guides emphasize hydration, lungs health, and safety around reefs.

For development of on-site response, refer to greatbarrierreeftourscom; it offers practical guides you can study at reefs worldwide.

Unusual presentations demand rapid assessment: difference between mild symptoms and serious issues isnt trivial; longer delays worsen outcomes.

Whether youre new or experienced, this approach lowers risk and supports safety; guides from site teams help you know what to monitor.

Here, early actions change development trajectory and prevent serious damage.

Oxygen delivery options: masks, flow rates, and safety checks

Provide 100% O2 via tight-fitting non-rebreather mask at 12–15 L/min immediately when gas-bubble illness is suspected after ascent; arrange rapid transport to hyperbaric facility; prioritize early oxygen delivery to improve tissue oxygenation and reduce bubble growth; monitor SpO2 and mental status; experience of responders matters; consider family presence if possible; safety of caregiver and patient must be maintained.

Masks include non-rebreather with reservoir, simple face mask, and bag-valve mask; non-rebreather delivers highest FiO2, supporting faster absorption of oxygen by tissues; ensure mask seal and reservoir inflation before delivery; if isnt sealing well, adjust fit or switch to BVM with 100% O2; keep patient breathe regular and comfortable.

Flow rates: non-rebreather 12–15 L/min; simple mask 6–10 L/min; nasal cannula 2–6 L/min isnt ideal for gas-bubble illness; bag-valve mask can provide 15 L/min or more when manual ventilation; adjust to SpO2 targets above 94% and patient comfort; issues may arise if mask or tubing kink.

Safety checks include confirming O2 source connected, cylinder pressure sufficient, mask seal intact, reservoir full, and no leaks; monitor SpO2, heart rate, respiratory rate, mental status; ensure duration of high FiO2 remains appropriate to minimize oxygen toxicity risk; facts about duration help minimize much risk; avoid delaying transport, follow ascending care plan; use checklists or tables to standardize steps; include a calm lady witness when possible to assist communication and ensure compliance; experience of staff matters.

источник: Australia guidelines emphasize early oxygen delivery and rapid transfer to hyperbaric care; learning tables support better practice; operators in charge benefit from thorough drills; deeper understanding helps absorbs key steps during remote getaways under challenging conditions; think through steps, taking safety into account; reduce complications; involve family or companions when possible to support safety and faster decision making.

Positioning and comfort: avoid unnecessary movement, keep warm, monitor breathing

Stay still and align body midline during every ascent or rest phase. Minimize small motions that shift gas pockets inside, potentially advancing a developing condition. Keep head neutral, chest open, and arms close to sides; use slow, deliberate corrections with buoyancy control rather than rapid twists. Guides should assist to maintain balance and prevent unnecessary effort.

• Keep body in neutral line; avoid twisting or large reaches; use signals from guides and only apply small corrections with fins to sustain balance during ascends or rests.
• Thermal balance: wear insulating layers; inside dry suit or heated underlayers; keep core warm; post-session warmth helps muscle tone and comfort; lady experiences show warmth supports steady breathing and reduces muscle fatigue; caisson-era lessons underscore risk of cold contributing to progression of symptoms.
• Breathing discipline: implement diaphragmatic pattern; breathe slowly at 4-6 cycles per minute; avoid breath-holding; maintain steady rhythm; minor getaways in rhythm may occur; if they notice rhythm slip, inform guides; practice returns to calm.
• Normally, experienced lady guides emphasize minimizing movement, maintaining buoyancy, supporting being calm inside warmth, and discover safe limits across every length of sessions.
• Symptom awareness: numbness, tingling, or unsteady balance require pause; communicate with guides; if condition worsens toward paralysis or inside water cannot return safely, arrange hbot sessions; early action reduces severity and can prevent long-term impairment; they know from experience to discover better outcomes when prompt action is taken.

Escalation steps: when and how to contact emergency services and arrange transport

Call emergency services now if pain, numbness, dizziness, or confusion appears during or after dives.

Notify boat crew or operators aboard; inform divemaster and establish a clear contact chain, which makes communication simpler.

Provide concise explanation of symptoms, onset timing, and location; this speeds care and guides transport needs.

Record patient needs: age, medical history, current treatment, surface interval, and time of onset after exposure to changes.

Plan transport: if symptoms persist, arrange rapid transfer from vessel to shore facility with hyperbaric chamber access; seek medevac if required.

Islands may require boat or helicopter options depending on access; therefore early coordination matters.

On islands, boat or helicopter may be needed; operators coordinate with surface teams; therefore confirm preferred option.

Across worlds of marine recreation, alarm systems and drills help prevent delays in emergencies.

Hyperbaric strategy leverages pressurized atmosphere to accelerate restoration.

Historical caisson concepts inform current safety thinking.

Where conditions were changing, stay in contact with surface team for updated instructions.

For more guidance, this article offers practical steps and references such as greatbarrierreeftourscom; you can compare options when seeking local transport after tours, especially if experiencing delayed onset pain or delicate development of symptoms, or alarm becomes forming as surface conditions change.

Explaining how to respond to a developing scenario would help every tour; this article explains needs, explanation, and steps to take to minimize risk and ensure prompt care for surface and beyond.