For suspected in-flight decompression sickness, what is the recommended course after landing?

For suspected in-flight decompression sickness, what is the recommended course after landing?

• A. Immediate recompression in a hyperbaric chamber
• B. Strict bed rest and fluids
• C. Elevation of altitude
• D. Arrange hyperbaric treatment after landing

Answer: (D)

Decompression sickness is treated by hyperbaric recompression to shrink the nitrogen bubbles causing symptoms. After landing, the priority is to get the patient to definitive hyperbaric therapy as soon as possible. Arranging hyperbaric treatment at a facility equipped for recompression provides the proper, evidence-based treatment window without delaying care. While oxygen administration and supportive measures can be useful during transport, they do not replace the need for hyperbaric therapy. Elevating altitude would worsen the condition, and relying on bed rest or fluids alone does not address the underlying gas-phase crisis.

Decompression sickness is treated by hyperbaric recompression to shrink the nitrogen bubbles causing symptoms. After landing, the priority is to get the patient to definitive hyperbaric therapy as soon as possible. Arranging hyperbaric treatment at a facility equipped for recompression provides the proper, evidence-based treatment window without delaying care. While oxygen administration and supportive measures can be useful during transport, they do not replace the need for hyperbaric therapy. Elevating altitude would worsen the condition, and relying on bed rest or fluids alone does not address the underlying gas-phase crisis.