title: Bubble formation and decompression sickness on direct ascent from shallow air saturation diving.
abstract: To find the minimum supersaturation pressure for detectable bubble formation and for contraction of decompression sickness (DCS), three shallow air saturation dives at the depth of 6 m, 7 m, and 8 m were performed. The ultrasonic M-mode method was used for detecting bubbles. The exposure period was 3 d for all dives. Ten subjects were compressed to both 6 m and 7 m, and nine subjects were compressed to 8 m. One bubble streak was shown in the 6-m dive group. A small number of bubbles were seen in four subjects in the 7-m dive. All subjects in the 8-m dive presented various amounts of bubbles. DCS was not observed in the 6-m and 7-m dives. On the other hand, in the 8-m dive, four subjects suffered from DCS and required recompression treatment. The minimum depth for detectable bubble formation was assessed at around 6 m and the direct ascent from saturation at 8 m seems to have a high risk of DCS.
authors.affiliation: Maritime Self-Defense Force, Undersea Medical Center, Yokosuka, Japan.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ikeda
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Okamoto
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hashimoto
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003665:Decompression Sickness; D004242:Diving; D004618:Embolism, Air / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014463:Ultrasonography