| Decompression illness, or DCI, is a term used to | | | | those characteristics should always dive under the |
| describe an illness that results from a reduction in the | | | | supervision of their doctors. |
| ambient pressure surrounding a body. There are two | | | | How to avoid DCI? |
| types of DCI: Decompression sickness, which is the | | | | 1) Avoid deep dives. If you are a recreational diver |
| result from bubbles growing in tissue causing local | | | | the maximum recommended depth is 30 mts / 100 |
| damage, and Arterial Gas Embolism, which results | | | | feet. |
| from bubbles entering the lung circulation, traveling | | | | 2) Ascent at a rate that does not exceed 18 mts / |
| through the arteries and causing tissue damage at a | | | | 60 feet per minute |
| distance by blocking blood flow at the small vessel | | | | 3) Make a safety stop at the end of every dive |
| level. | | | | 4) Do not make decompression dives without the |
| What causes a diver to get DCI? | | | | proper training and equipment. |
| There are several reasons why a diver may get DCI, | | | | 5) Understand your dive tables and /or computer and |
| but among the most important ones we can list: rapid | | | | never dive beyond their limits. |
| ascents, exceeding no decompression limits | | | | 6) Drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids before, after |
| underwater, flying immediately after diving, being | | | | and in between dives. |
| dehydrated, diving after an illness or fracture, deep | | | | 7) If you are taking prescription medications, seek |
| diving etc. | | | | your physician advice before diving. |
| Who can get DCI | | | | 8) Wait at least 24 hours before flying. |
| Although every diver is susceptible to get DCI, there | | | | In conclusion, understanding DCI is the best way to |
| are some factors that increase the risk. Obesity and | | | | prevent it. Should you have any questions, ask your |
| age are two of the most important ones. Divers with | | | | doctor, dive shop or instructor. |