What Researchers Did
Researchers compared the effect of post-dive in-water recompression with oxygen (HOB) versus normobaric oxygen breathing (NOB) on venous bubble formation in 19 divers after a provocative dive.
What They Found
Post-dive normobaric oxygen breathing significantly reduced bubble counts compared to control dives. In-water recompression with oxygen to 6 msw dramatically suppressed circulating bubble formation, showing significantly lower bubble counts than both normobaric oxygen breathing and control dives.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
For Canadian divers experiencing interrupted or omitted decompression, in-water recompression with oxygen could be a more effective immediate intervention to reduce gas bubbles than breathing oxygen at normal pressure. This approach may help prevent the onset of decompression sickness symptoms by addressing bubble formation early.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection as it was not conducted in Canada, nor did it involve Canadian participants or researchers.
Study Limitations
The study's findings require further investigation before this protocol can be widely recommended as an emergency treatment.