In-water recompression to decompress - what are your thoughts?

[Russell Bowyer]

I was discussing the safety aspects of using 'in-water recompression' in the situation where a recompression chamber is not nearby - i.e. more that a day or more from the dive site.

Has anyone had any experience of using this form or recompression/decompression?

Has anyone got views on the concept and to start a discussion around the idea of putting someone back in the water to decompress?

The dive situation I was discussing was a film shoot. They were discovering new species at a depth of 100 metres (328 feet). The shoot and dive was a 3 day boat trip to the nearest hyperbaric chamber, so their only option would be to use 'in-water recompression.'

 

[northernone]

Treatment of decompression illness in the field - guidelines published

 

[Russell Bowyer]

Treatment of decompression illness in the field - guidelines published

Thank you for the link to this

 

[lv2dive]

There are also several other threads with discussions related to this topic. Example:
What is your IWR Kit Comprised of?

 

[KevinNM]

It depends. Are there viable alternatives? Do the people involved understand what they are doing? Do they have the gas and equipment needed for this? Does everyone involved understand what could go wrong and how this can end badly even if nobody makes a mistake?

 

[PfcAJ]

IWR was part of my GUE tech 2 course.

 

[TMHeimer]

It depends. Are there viable alternatives? Do the people involved understand what they are doing? Do they have the gas and equipment needed for this? Does everyone involved understand what could go wrong and how this can end badly even if nobody makes a mistake?

Yeah that's it. On a recent thread it was pointed out that it's not rocket science. But you do have to have enough gas in the tank you're using or be able to switch tanks rather quickly (like 5 minutes) for it to be effective. PADI's material advises against it. I read that NAVY divers do it and are well prepared for it. That's what I took from the thread anyway.

 

[Akimbo]

It all comes down to the option that sucks the least. It already sucks because you believe you are bent.

 

[DevonDiver]

If diving in remote areas, take prudent steps to minimise any risk of DCS. If the diving is liable to present unavoidable DCS risks (tech expeditions etc) equip with a portable fabric recompression chamber - the technology is available and the costs are relatively low.

Many divers pipe-dream about IWR. They feel it's an option because they over-simplify (don't understand) the resources and medical issues associated with it.

Many don't even fully understand the differences between conducting omitted decompression, preventative recompression and true IWR with a serious, symptomatic, diagnosed patient.

 

[100days-a-year]

I have personally seen people "fixed" by IWR who were obviously bent including some with paralysis.

It is a poor substitute for a chamber and proper medical care.That doesn't mean it's not effective,it obviously is.

As was mentioned in previous threads,I would use it when necessary to prevent any permanent damage that may arise from "doing it right" and waiting to be flown or drove 24 to 48+ hours and insuring greater injury.