What Researchers Did
Researchers in northern China analyzed 5,278 cases of decompression illness (DCI) treated with recompression therapy at a single hyperbaric facility over an 11-year period.
What They Found
The study found that 98.9% of patients experienced initial DCI symptoms within 6 hours of surfacing, with a median delay of 62 minutes. Recompression therapy achieved an overall effectiveness rate of 99.3% in the 5,269 treated cases. However, the rate of full recovery decreased significantly as the time from symptom onset to treatment increased.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
For Canadian divers and individuals engaging in pressure-related activities, this study highlights the urgent need for recompression therapy if decompression illness is suspected. Prompt treatment, ideally within minutes to hours of symptom onset, significantly improves the likelihood of a full recovery from DCI symptoms such as joint pain, skin issues, and neurological problems.
Canadian Relevance
Decompression Sickness is a Health Canada-recognized indication for hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Study Limitations
This study was conducted at a single hyperbaric unit in China, and specific details of the recompression schedules used were not provided.