Decompression sickness in naval divers

Abstract

Introduction: Diving is a n operational commitment of navy. Diving operations are conducted with I without the presence of a MM spl. Study of MM done along with phases of attachments at different diving operational units as practical orientation. Classes of Divers: (a) Ship Diver (SD). Trained to dive up to 35 MSW (b) Clearance Diver (CD): They are trained to dive up to 55 MSW. (c) CD (DD): They are Deep divers, also trained in saturation diving using Helium Oxygen mixture, (d) Chariot Diver: They are combat divers of the Navy. (e)Air crew diver: Specially trained SD & CD. (f) Combat Diver: from Army. Diving Establishments: Diving School - shore estt, kochi. INS Nireekshak - floating platform. INS Satavahana - submarine training estt - shore estt, vizag. INS Abhimanyu - chariot diving with pure Oxygen breather for clandestine operations. CCDH! - one per command, CDU at A & N. INS Matanga, INS Gaj - floating platforms. Recompression Chamber Complex, INHS Asvini Decompression Sickness: Due to metabolically inert gases and due to fast ascent rate. It is never with pure oxygen diving. Never occur while at bottom. As per grading, Type I - not serious type, generally known as bends and Type II - serious type Treatment: Treatment for DCS is followed as per guidelines promulgated in INBR 2806. Mainstay of treatment remains with Oxygen Table 61 & 62 of INBR 2806 which is same as RNBR 2806 as table 5<fUS navy Diving Manual. Incidences: Incidences of DCS are found at Diving School and Nireekshak. At ETS other diving related injuries like Mask injury, hypoxia, CAGE are documented. At CCDTk no DCS documented in last five years. Conclusion: DCS in Navy is rather very less due to stringent training, fitness of divers and proper follow of procedures.

Keywords

• INBR 2806
• Treatment Table 61