Diving and drowning accidents

Decompression injuries are potentially life-threatening incidents, generated by a rapid decline in ambient pressure in scuba diving, which results in formation of gas bubbles in the blood and tissues. Regardless whether decompression sickness (DCS) or arterial gas embolism (AGE) is present, the most important therapy in the field is oxygen resuscitation with the highest possible concentration and volume delivered. The definitive treatment is rapid recompression with hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Drowning is one of the most common cause of death in children and young adults world wide. The leading problem in drowning is hypoxia, caused by an increased right to left shunting. Therefore, after a quick rescue, oxygenation is the most important initial treatment. In many cases, drowning is accompanied by hypothermia, which per se can be life-threatening, but also may prolong the time for a successful resuscitation.