What Researchers Did
Researchers analyzed the clinical course and treatment of a fisherman diver who died after rapidly ascending during a sea cucumber dive in Yucatán, Mexico.
What They Found
A 35-year-old untrained fisherman diver rapidly ascended and developed severe symptoms, leading to a diagnosis of carbon monoxide poisoning and Type I decompression sickness (DCS). Despite receiving U.S. Navy Treatment Table 5, he died during treatment from a myocardial infarction. Researchers later concluded his death was likely due to severe cardiopulmonary DCS, not the initial diagnoses.
Canadian Relevance
Although this study is not Canadian, it covers decompression sickness, which is a Health Canada-recognised indication for hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Study Limitations
As a single case report, this study's findings are limited to one individual's experience and may not be generalizable to all cases of diving-related fatalities.