ArcticDiver
Contributor
Most of the posts to this thread have assumed the self-diagnosis/assessment of DCS is accurate. That is starting the thought process too far down the decision tree. There are other causes of discomfort that need to be ruled out. That can't be done very well in the field, let alone in an airplane.
Also, there have been a couple posts commenting that EMS/ER treatment has been less than satisfactory. Of course that happens. Just because you are in the hands of a medical professional doesn't guarantee perfect results. We all demonstrate our humanity by making errors. So, saying that you wouldn't go to the ER for suspected DCS is at best a foolish statement.
Like someone else posted when you have a suspected serious medical problem the absolute best thing to do under all circumstances is go to the nearest emergency room or department. If you can't transport yourself, or such transport isn't advisable given the circumstances, call EMS for ambulance transport. It would be too strong a statement to say never go directly to a decompression chamber. But the cases where that would be the best course of action would, I think, be extremely rare.
Once you are in the ER then don't be passive. By the same token don't be on obnoxious jerk either. Be assertive. If your condition won't allow you to be personally assertive then appoint someone else to do so on your behalf.
If it is DCS while you are waiting for the chamber to be made ready you can be supported with all the medical equipment and skill available. If it isn't DCS then you are where you need to be for proper diagnosis and treatment.
So, the wise person doesn't jump to a DCS diagnosis just because they have been diving and have some symptoms. The person also recognizes that they may need some heavy duty medical support before, during and after the episode whether DCS or not. That is why the wise person uses the EMS/ER system reinforced by assertive personal conduct.
Also, there have been a couple posts commenting that EMS/ER treatment has been less than satisfactory. Of course that happens. Just because you are in the hands of a medical professional doesn't guarantee perfect results. We all demonstrate our humanity by making errors. So, saying that you wouldn't go to the ER for suspected DCS is at best a foolish statement.
Like someone else posted when you have a suspected serious medical problem the absolute best thing to do under all circumstances is go to the nearest emergency room or department. If you can't transport yourself, or such transport isn't advisable given the circumstances, call EMS for ambulance transport. It would be too strong a statement to say never go directly to a decompression chamber. But the cases where that would be the best course of action would, I think, be extremely rare.
Once you are in the ER then don't be passive. By the same token don't be on obnoxious jerk either. Be assertive. If your condition won't allow you to be personally assertive then appoint someone else to do so on your behalf.
If it is DCS while you are waiting for the chamber to be made ready you can be supported with all the medical equipment and skill available. If it isn't DCS then you are where you need to be for proper diagnosis and treatment.
So, the wise person doesn't jump to a DCS diagnosis just because they have been diving and have some symptoms. The person also recognizes that they may need some heavy duty medical support before, during and after the episode whether DCS or not. That is why the wise person uses the EMS/ER system reinforced by assertive personal conduct.