Decompression Sickness - Chapter 4

Question 1

Gas law associated with decompression sickness:

Answer 1

Henry’s Law (amount of liquid is proportional to the pressure exerted onto it)

Question 2

DCS is unlikely below what altitude?

Answer 2

14,000ft

Question 3

Symptoms include:

Answer 3

• The Bends (air bubbles in joints)
• The chokes (air bubbles in the lungs)
• The creeps (air bubbles in the skin)
• The staggers (air bubbles in the brain)

Question 4

What other activity is DCS connected to?

Answer 4

Scuba diving

Question 5

How to treat DCS for both aviation and scuba diving?

Answer 5

In flight:

• descend quickly.
• O2 100%
• land ASAP w/ medical assistance

Scuba diving, ascend slowly

Question 6

How long should it be after a scuba diver can fly on an aircraft?

Answer 6

If they have dived more than 30foot, at least 24 hours.

If they have dived within 30 foot, about 12 hours

Snorkelling has no limit

Question 7

DCS can be affected by:

Answer 7

• smoking
• age
• health
• altitude the individual normally lives at
• duration of exposure
• obesity

Question 8

Ultimate case if DCS is not treated:

Answer 8

Death