What Researchers Did
Researchers reported a mass casualty incident where 36 patients developed decompression sickness symptoms after rapid cabin depressurization aboard an aircraft at 6,400 m altitude, managed at a small military clinic.
What They Found
All 36 patients were evaluated and triaged. Some were treated with supplemental oxygen in clinic. Six patients were diagnosed with Type II decompression sickness and referred for HBOT -- all reported at least some symptom relief after hyperbaric treatment.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Aviation-related decompression sickness can affect military and civilian aircrew in Canada. This case demonstrates the importance of Canadian aviation medicine physicians and hyperbaric centers being prepared to manage both diving and altitude-related DCS, which present with similar symptoms.
Canadian Relevance
Decompression sickness is an OHIP-covered indication for HBOT in Ontario.
Study Limitations
This is a single mass casualty case report; the small hyperbaric treatment group (6 patients) does not allow statistical conclusions about HBOT efficacy for aviation DCS.