Telltale Symptoms of Decompression Sickness (DCS)
By DAN Asia-Pacific
Decompression sickness (DCS) can be deadly. Unfortunately, symptoms of DCS do not immediately occur after a dive and may be delayed, thereby increasing your health risks if you do not schedule your flight with the appropriate waiting period after your dive. Here are some of the telltale symptoms to look out for to see if you are experiencing Decompression Sickness.
Mild DCS
Type 1
Musuloskeletal or joint pain
Skin rashes, mottling or swelling
Tissue tenderness associated with skin manifestations
Mild constitutional symptoms
Serious DCS
Type 2
Numbness, tingling or muscular weakness
Difficulty walking or loss of coordination
Confusion or impairment of cognitive functions
Vertigo or spinning sensation
Chest pain or difficulty breathing
Bladder or bowel dysfunction
Tinnitus or hearing loss
For the rest of this article (Asian Diver Issue 2/2018 Vol.150) and other stories, check out our past issues here or download digital copy here.