What Researchers Did
Researchers summarized 16 years of experience diagnosing and treating spinal cord decompression sickness in 68 sport divers in Israel, who received recompression therapy.
What They Found
They found that 41% of dives leading to decompression sickness were within US Navy decompression limits, with fatigue, dehydration, and extreme physical effort identified as risk factors. Full recovery was achieved in 79% of patients, but immediate symptom onset on surfacing was common in the 8 patients with multiple neurological sequelae.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian sport divers should be aware that current decompression tables may not be entirely safe, and risk factors like fatigue and dehydration warrant caution. Any mild spinal symptoms after diving should prompt immediate and vigorous medical attention, as early treatment is crucial for better outcomes.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection, as it was conducted in Israel.
Study Limitations
The study is a retrospective summary of clinical experience without a control group, which limits the ability to establish causality or compare treatment efficacy definitively.