decompression sickness
Surfacing too fast
Decompression sickness occurs when dissolved gases—usually nitrogen—form bubbles in the body during rapid pressure reduction.
Divers ascending too quickly are the classic victims, but it can affect pilots and astronauts.
Symptoms range from joint pain and fatigue to paralysis and death.
Treatment involves recompression in a hyperbaric chamber.
Also called *the bends* or *caisson disease*.
Ache at skeletal junctures
- fatigueWeariness from prolonged exertion
- numbnessLoss of sensation
- tinglingSlight stinging sensation
- paralysisLoss of muscle function
confusion · dizziness · vertigo · nausea · weakness · rash · itching · respiratory distress
Obstruction in blood vessel
- vascularOf blood vessels
- neurologicalOf the nervous system
- joint painAche at skeletal junctures
- inert gasChemically unreactive element
Boyle's law · gas laws · microbubbles · spinal cord · vestibular · cutaneous · lymphatic · blood-brain barrier
Element seven, colorless gas
- bubblesGas-filled liquid spheres
- ascentUpward movement
- diverOne who submerges
- hyperbaricAbove atmospheric pressure
saturation · dive computer · safety stop · technical diving · recompression · helium · nitrox · off-gassing
Pressurized vessel for oxygen therapy
- recompressionRestoring elevated pressure
- oxygen therapyAdministered breathing gas treatment
- emergency evacuationRapid departure from danger
- treatment protocolStandardized plan for therapy
Elevated atmospheric position
- aviatorsThose who fly planes
- space suitPressurized garment for void
- EVAActivity outside spacecraft
- astronautSpacecraft crew member
joint pain
Ache at skeletal junctures
paralysis · confusion · dizziness · vertigo · nausea · weakness · rash · itching · respiratory distress · chest pain
embolism
Obstruction in blood vessel
- vascularOf blood vessels
- neurologicalOf the nervous system
- joint painAche at skeletal junctures
inert gas · Boyle's law · gas laws · microbubbles · spinal cord · vestibular · cutaneous · lymphatic · blood-brain barrier · supersaturation
nitrogen
Element seven, colorless gas
hyperbaric · saturation · dive computer · safety stop · technical diving · recompression · helium · nitrox · off-gassing
hyperbaric chamber
Pressurized vessel for oxygen therapy
- recompressionRestoring elevated pressure
- oxygen therapyAdministered breathing gas treatment
- emergency evacuationRapid departure from danger
high-altitude
Elevated atmospheric position
- aviatorsThose who fly planes
- space suitPressurized garment for void
- EVAActivity outside spacecraft
- scuba divingscuba, regulator, BCD, scuba diving, wetsuit
- maritime medicineseasickness, scurvy, ship doctor, sick bay, medical officer
- travel ailmentsjet lag, airsickness, seasickness, carsickness, traveler's diarrhea
- water hazardsflash flood, river flood, coastal flooding, flooding, tsunami
- water injuriesdrowning, near drowning, near-drowning, jellyfish sting, shark bite
- aerospace medicinebioastronautics, microgravity, zero gravity, space suit, space suits
decompression, sickness, decompress, compress, compression, compressed, compressing, compressor, compressible