First Aid Recompression Chamber Oxygen

Make sure you have diving insurance appropriate for your "type of diving" including diving trips abroad. We have researched many and highly recommend DAN Europe (divers alert network)

PADI Emergency First Responder a one day course, suitable for all ages and not just divers, to broaden your knowledge and practical skills in CPR and Illness & Injury Assessment.

A reduction in pressure while ascending at the end of a dive will release dissolved gas (principally nitrogen) from solution in the tissues and blood and consequently form bubbles in the body. Suspect decompression sickness, (the "Bends", dysbarism) in any patients with a history of a dive within last 48 hours who presents with:

• Joint pains (dull ache, unaffected by movement, "niggles" may flit between joints)
• Neurological symptoms (however vague). Particularly changes in mentation, sensation, coordination, audiovestibular function, cerebellar symptoms or fatigue. Neurological signs (equivocal or definite, particularly cranial nerve deficits)
• Skin rashes (pruritis, erythema, marbling of the skin)
• Constitutional symptoms (malaise, extreme fatigue, the shivers)
• Lymphatic oedema (esp. face, neck or breast)
• SOB - (the "chokes") - caused by massive embolisation of the pulmonary vasculature by venous bubbles

When diving off boats please ensure that you have a competent radio operator and licensed VHF marine radio on board, an O2 kit and first aid box as well as a trained oxygen administrator and first aider. All these are standard on the Aquaventures hardboat and rhib.

In case of an emergency, it is necessary to follow proper protocol. The contact details below are for information purposes only - check your nearest recompression chamber when planning your dives.