Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 14, 2026
05:46
A Novel Inhalation Mask System to Deliver High Concentrations of Nitric Oxide Gas in Spontaneously Breathing Subjects
Published on: May 4, 2021
Additional pressurisation for treating nonresponding cases of serious air decompression sickness
Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine
|December 1, 1985
Summary
Further compression to 50 meters for severe decompression sickness (DCS) offers limited benefit. Recompression rarely improves outcomes for patients not responding at 18 meters, with risks of deterioration.
Area of Science:
- Diving Medicine
- Hyperbaric Medicine
- Emergency Medicine
Background:
- Decompression sickness (DCS) is a risk of diving.
- Current treatment protocols involve oxygen and compression therapy.
- The efficacy of deeper compression for refractory DCS requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of recompression to 50 meters (165 fsw) for serious DCS cases unresponsive to 18 meters (60 fsw) oxygen treatment.
- To assess the outcomes of compression beyond 50 meters on air.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 20 years of DCS treatment records.
- Analysis of 14 cases treated with recompression to 50m.
- Inclusion of 9 cases treated with compression beyond 50m.
Main Results:
- Recompression to 50m rarely improved recovery in cases not already improving at 18m or those of mild severity.
- The only case with motor deficits that recovered at 50m later relapsed.
- Cases without motor deficits were more likely to achieve slow recovery.
- Deterioration occurred in four cases even after compression to 50m.
- Compression beyond 50m to 76m provided little to no benefit.
Conclusions:
- Recompression to 50m is generally not beneficial for refractory DCS, except possibly in cases of rapid deterioration at 18m.
- Even at 50m, deterioration can occur.
- Deeper compression beyond 50m on air offers minimal to no therapeutic advantage for DCS.
More Related Videos
06:22Surfactant Depletion Combined with Injurious Ventilation Results in a Reproducible Model of the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)
Published on: April 7, 2021
05:45Expansion Duroplasty For Severe Cervical Spinal Cord Swelling After Traumatic Injury: A Step-by-Step Surgical Protocol
Published on: May 26, 2026
Related Concept Videos
01:16Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Oxygen Therapy for Respiratory Failure
Oxygen therapy has emerged as a significant tool in enhancing the quality of life for patients suffering from pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). While this therapy has principally been studied on patients with significant hypoxemia, this therapeutic approach helps prevent potential organ damage and can be administered in the comfort of one's home.
Oxygen therapy is vital in increasing and maintaining blood oxygen levels in PAH patients. As a result, it aids in reducing fatigue, improving...
Oxygen therapy is vital in increasing and maintaining blood oxygen levels in PAH patients. As a result, it aids in reducing fatigue, improving...
01:30Acute Respiratory Failure-III
Hypercapnic respiratory failure, also known as Type 2 or ventilatory respiratory failure, is a severe condition characterized by the body's inability to effectively remove carbon dioxide (CO2) from the bloodstream. It leads to an arterial CO2 pressure (PaCO2) exceeding 45 mmHg and a blood pH above 7.35. This situation indicates that the body's ventilatory demand, or the ventilation needed to maintain normal PaCO2 levels, surpasses its supply or the maximum gas flow achievable without causing...
01:26Pneumothorax-I
A pneumothorax is a condition where air builds up in the space between the lung and the chest wall, causing the lung to collapse. This condition arises when air enters the space between the parietal and visceral pleura, disrupting the negative pressure essential for lung inflation. This can lead to a partial or complete collapse of the lung.
Pneumothorax can be even further classified as spontaneous, traumatic, and tension pneumothorax.
Pneumothorax can be even further classified as spontaneous, traumatic, and tension pneumothorax.
01:27Pneumothorax-II
Pneumothorax is a medical condition defined by the buildup of air in the pleural space between the lungs and the chest wall. This accumulation of air can lead to partial or complete lung collapse, resulting in a range of clinical manifestations. Understanding the clinical presentation and effective management strategies is crucial for healthcare professionals in providing timely and appropriate care to individuals with pneumothorax.
Clinical Manifestations:
Clinical Manifestations:
01:26Acute Coronary Syndrome V: Nursing Management
Nursing Assessment:Nursing management of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) involves taking the patient's history, focusing on primary complaints such as chest pain, dyspnea, and excessive sweating (diaphoresis), as well as other symptoms like back or jaw pain, nausea, vomiting, palpitations, dizziness, and fatigue. The nurse also reviews the patient's history of cardiac events, risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, smoking, family history, and current medications.In the objective assessment,...
01:22Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation II: ACLS Airway Management
Airway management is a key skill in emergency and critical care settings, as maintaining a clear airway is essential for adequate oxygenation and ventilation.Head Tilt-Chin Lift TechniqueThe head tilt-chin lift maneuver is an essential technique primarily used in patients without suspected cervical spine injuries. To perform this maneuver, one hand is placed on the patient’s forehead, and gentle pressure is applied backward to tilt the head. The fingertips of the other hand are positioned under...