What Researchers Did
Researchers reported a case of delayed decompression sickness (DCS) in a diver after flying and presented guidelines for preventing DCS in recreational divers who plan to fly.
What They Found
They found a diver developed classical type 2 decompression sickness, likely due to air travel 16 hours after SCUBA diving. Treatment with hyperbaric oxygen in a decompression chamber successfully resolved the symptoms.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian patients who recreational dive should be aware of the risks of flying too soon after diving to prevent decompression sickness. Adhering to established guidelines for surface intervals before air travel is crucial for their safety.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection.
Study Limitations
A key limitation is that this study is a single case report, which limits the generalizability of its findings to a broader population.