Abstract

Decompression illness, which includes decompression sickness and arterial gas embolism, can be a complex and difficult diagnostic dilemma. The signs and symptoms are not well known and mimic other illnesses which often results in delay when seeking medical evaluation. Additionally, most physicians are not exposed to diving medicine and may not recognize a decompression illness injury. The Divers Alert Network (DAN) offers information to the diving public and telephone consultation for physicians who require assistance in the evaluation of scuba divers and management of dive accident cases. Divers Alert Network also publishes the national annual report on scuba diving morbidity and mortality. Services provided without charge are sponsored by the DAN membership. This article introduces the physician to decompression illness and the basic care and treatment of the injured scuba diver.