| Typical symptoms of decompression sickness are: | | | | suit squeeze due to the absence of regular lines which |
| - joint and muscle aches and pains – when these | | | | characterise the latter. Extreme fatigue can be one |
| are not severe, there is a tendency to put them down | | | | of the more subtle symptoms that often goes |
| to aches and strains from lifting dive equipment, holding | | | | unnoticed. Another one sometimes seen is swelling, |
| onto the boarding ladder and so on. An examination | | | | particularly from lymphatic bends. What should you do |
| by a hyperbaric doctor is able to distinguish between | | | | if you have symptoms? |
| strains and decompression illness in most cases. | | | | In all cases where symptoms are noted, specialist |
| - neurological symptoms, ranging from the impossible | | | | medical advice should be sought. How this is done |
| to ignore, such as hemiplegia (paralysis, particularly of | | | | depends on the location of the dive, but in the UK |
| the lower limbs) or unconsciousness to others such as | | | | access to these services whilst at sea should be |
| loss of bladder function, deafness, visual disturbances, | | | | made through HM Coastguard. |
| dizziness, tingling – particularly of fingers/hands and | | | | Rapid recompression is necessary in cases of |
| feet. Tight cuff seals can often cause some tingling | | | | decompression illness to minimise and reverse damage |
| in the finger tips – it is often a question of | | | | caused by gas bubbles in the system following the |
| considering what is usual for you, as a diver and | | | | dive. Sufficient treatment provided rapidly decreases |
| looking at the dive profiles. If rapid ascents, missed | | | | the risk of any longer term problems significantly. |
| stops or other factors are involved which increase the | | | | If presenting to an Accident and Emergency |
| possibility of decompression illness, then assessment | | | | department at a Hospital following a dive, when some |
| by a dive doctor is worthwhile. | | | | of the signs and symptoms noted above are present, |
| - respiratory distress (known as the “chokes”), | | | | do ensure that staff are made aware of your dives. |
| including chest pain, a burning sensation in the chest | | | | You may well be more knowledgeable about |
| and sometimes a cough that is hard to shake off. | | | | decompression illness than the staff attending you and |
| - other symptoms such as skin rashes, or | | | | making them aware of your dive profiles can ensure |
| subcutaneous marmorata – a mottled patchy | | | | that specialist medical advice is obtained, leading to |
| appearance, particularly over the shoulders, upper | | | | swifter diagnosis and treatment if required. |
| arms and on the torso. It can be distinguished from | | | | |