In altitude DCS, when does DCS occur and how is therapy achieved?

In altitude DCS, when does DCS occur and how is therapy achieved?

• A. Altitude DCS occurs during mission; descent to ground is therapeutic.
• B. DCS occurs after descent to ground level.
• C. DCS is not treatable with recompression.
• D. DCS occurs only at sea level.

Answer: (A)

Altitude DCS happens because as you climb to higher altitude the ambient pressure drops, causing dissolved nitrogen in tissues and blood to come out of solution and form gas bubbles. This most often presents while you’re at altitude or during the ascent. The most effective immediate treatment is to descend to ground level, which restores ambient pressure and helps shrink or dissolve the bubbles. Providing 100% oxygen further accelerates the washout of nitrogen from the body. If symptoms persist or are severe, hyperbaric recompression therapy in a chamber is indicated after or in addition to the descent and oxygen. So, the idea that altitude DCS occurs during the mission and that descent to ground is therapeutic aligns with the typical management: reduce ambient pressure by descending, and give high-flow oxygen to expedite recovery.

Altitude DCS happens because as you climb to higher altitude the ambient pressure drops, causing dissolved nitrogen in tissues and blood to come out of solution and form gas bubbles. This most often presents while you’re at altitude or during the ascent. The most effective immediate treatment is to descend to ground level, which restores ambient pressure and helps shrink or dissolve the bubbles. Providing 100% oxygen further accelerates the washout of nitrogen from the body. If symptoms persist or are severe, hyperbaric recompression therapy in a chamber is indicated after or in addition to the descent and oxygen.

So, the idea that altitude DCS occurs during the mission and that descent to ground is therapeutic aligns with the typical management: reduce ambient pressure by descending, and give high-flow oxygen to expedite recovery.