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With no disprepect meant, I guess I would ask why?
CPAP or Continuous Positive Air Way Pressure is used for a multitude of reasons. I have used it mostly for CHF patients who have serious pulmonary edema. If you get them on CPAP quick enough you have a good chane of keeping them off the tube/vent which greatly improves survivability. Recently paramedics in our area have gotten prehospital CPAP which has been a great tool.
If I had to guess you are thinking about a diver who not only suffered a barotrauma but also a wet drowning. I am no expert on barotrauma injuries but you always follow the ABC so securing a patent airway would be critical. CPAP usually administerd through a mask or nasal canula does not provide a patent airway. The patient would be intubated and on a vent. Then they would be treated for the barotrauma since the airway and lack of oxygen is going to be the most critical problem. I am not sure how the ventilator works in a decompression chamber. My guess is that you would have to dial in higer vent pressures to overcome the increased atmospheric pressure.
I just do not see the application for a CPAP in the chamber. Maybe you could elaborate on what you thoughts are.
Mark D.
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