What Researchers Did
Researchers reviewed the outcomes of 140 cases of decompression sickness in civilian divers treated with shorter hyperbaric oxygen tables at a single facility between 1983 and 2002.
What They Found
The study reported an 87% complete recovery rate among 140 patients, even with an average delay of 93.5 hours from symptom onset to treatment. When 30 patients with low probability of decompression sickness were excluded, the recovery rate increased to 98%, and all patients with cerebral symptoms recovered.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
This research suggests that shorter hyperbaric oxygen treatment tables can be effective for decompression sickness, even when treatment is significantly delayed. This could provide a practical treatment option for Canadian divers, especially those in remote locations where immediate access to specialized hyperbaric facilities may be challenging.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection.
Study Limitations
This study is a retrospective review of cases from a single facility, which may limit the generalizability of its findings.