Movement by helicopter of patients with decompression sickness.
Rapid movement of a patient with decompression sickness sometimes poses problems when the site of the hyperbaric treatment facility is located a considerable distance away. Six cases of aviator decompression sickness were diagnosed in altitude chamber participants during an 18-month period. Five cases were uncomplicated decompression sickness and the sixth case was of central nervous system decompression sickness. All cases were transferred by low-level helicopter flight. No complications were noted when the helicopter stayed within 200 ft (61 m) AGL of the take-off point. Symptoms of decompression sickness did worsen however, when this altitude was exceeded. This study shows that movement of patients with decompression sickness by low-level helicopter flight is both safe and effective, especially when pressurized aircraft is neither available nor practical.
D000328:Adult; D000531:Altitude; D001359:Aviation; D003665:Decompression Sickness / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013997:Time Factors; D014187:Transportation of Patients