ETEC 661 Project

1. Decompression Sickness (DCS) Robert Bruck ETEC 661

2. Why Develop This Lesson Plan Decompression sickness can result in: Fatalities Paralysis

3. What is Decompression Sickness Result of change in barometric pressure Affects non-compressible parts of the body Formation of gas bubbles during pressure changes

4. Occurrences Un-pressurized aircraft. Spacecraft Extra Vehicular Activity (EVA). Caisson works. Diving

5. Diving Staying at depths exceeding 1 atmosphere too long. Rapid ascent.

6. How DCS Occurs Henrys Law basically states that gasses will dissolve into a fluid in proportion to the partial pressure exposed to. When breathing compressed air in higher pressure, the body absorbs many more molecules of nitrogen and oxygen than at sea level. During ascension, the human body must outgas all of the additional molecules stored in the body tissue. If this is not accomplished, DCS occurs

7. Conversely If we ascend to the summit of a mountain that stands at 3.2 km above sea level….. Atmospheric pressure is only 30% of the 1.04 kg per cm² at sea level (14.7 lb per inch²). We are physiologically disadvantaged in oxygen intake which may lead to hypoxia At 19 km of altitude blood boils

8. DCS Types Bends Neurological Pulmonary Skin Bends

9. Bends Symptoms Localized deep pain. Pain associated with joint activity. Pain experienced with increases in altitude.

10. Neurological Symptoms Brain Amnesia-Headache -Vision -Nausea Spine Tingling in lower chest and back-Extreme weakness -Constriction in chest Peripheral Nerve System Incontinence -Parastethia -Twitching Inner Ear Vertigo -Loss of balance-Loss of hearing

11. Pulmonary Symptoms Burning in chest Respiration pain Dyspnea Dry cough

12. Skin Bends Symptoms Formication, crawling skin sensation. Pitting edema, swelling of the skin. Itching. Skin discoloration.

13. If You Suspect DCS Inform a dive physician Keep the patient calm, quiet and flat Administer 100% oxygen if available Encourage oral fluid intake Administer CPR if needed Arrange for transfer to a decompression facility

14. Thank You I hope this was informative and may be of help to anyone encountering DCS in the future. Some informative sites: http://www.medtogo.com/acute-decompression-bends.html http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/default.aspx http://www.thwoundcenter/faq.asp