Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 17, 2026

Training Rats to Voluntarily Dive Underwater: Investigations of the Mammalian Diving Response
Published on: November 12, 2014
Decompression sickness in urban divers in France
Jacques Bessereau1, Nicolas Genotelle, Pierre-Marie Brun
1General Intensive Care Unit, Hyperbaric Medicine Department, Raymond Poincaré Hospital, University of Versailles SQY, Garches, France. jacques.bessereau@ap-hm.fr
Background:
Decompression sickness (DCS) can occur in SCUBA divers. DCS is treated with oxygen, preferably given under hyperbaric conditions. Although Paris (France) is located at a distance from the sea or lakes, some injured divers require hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) in this city, sometimes within a specific time frame. Thus, this study investigated the epidemiology and outcomes of such urban divers.
Aim:
We conducted an observational study of SCUBA divers admitted to the Raymond Poincaré Hyperbaric centre near Paris from 1993 to 2003.
Materials And Methods:
We prospectively enrolled 69 consecutive SCUBA divers presenting DCS. Common risk factors were reported, especially aeroplane flight and training dives. Symptoms are very often atypical (63%) and onset time of symptoms is often too long (59% after 2 h) due to denial of symptoms. First aid is generally inadequate, with only 23% of victims receiving oxygen, fluid loading and aspirin together. HBOT was given for 42 (61%) patients although their examination results were considered as normal.
Conclusions:
Diving pits and diving travel agencies should do more to warn divers of the need for treatment with normobaric oxygen and hydration pending HBOT. Moreover, hyperbaric physicians should better clarify HBOT indications for both symptoms of late onset and atypical presentations.
Related Concept Videos
Acute Respiratory Failure-III
Hyperpnea and Hyperventilation
Pneumothorax-II
Clinical Manifestations:
Pneumothorax-I
Pneumothorax can be even further classified as spontaneous, traumatic, and tension pneumothorax.
Pneumothorax II: Pathophysiology
Buoyancy
To get...

