| Treating suspected DCI with 100% O2 (is it wrong?)
Hi Guys,
I've always worked on the opinion that the best treatment for suspected DCI is 100% O2 preferably via a demand valve but failing that a non-rebreather bag mask.
I emailed a chap who is selling a 4 lpm / 8 lpm O2 kit in the dive section on ebay (because the flow seemed too low to me - I was taught 15 to 25 lpm)and his response was as follows:-
"you do not treat anyone with dci with 100%oxygen because it can do a lot of damage you should use helem and oxygen because pure o2 makes the vains cotract making it harder for the bubble to flow round the body if used pure 02 the vains cotract which could cause a big problem"
Apart from the inability to spell (Presume he means Helium and veins contract) his opinion seems very wrong.
While a Helium Oxygen mix would have a similar effect in terms of flushing Nitrogen, maintaining O2 saturation has also got to be a high priority.
Given a choice between 100% O2 ; 50% He/O2 ; 79% He / 21% O2
I would be going for the 100% O2 every time.
Though some people say laughter is the best medicine and getting someone to describe their symptoms in a high pitched helium induced donald duck voice could cause much hilarity.
Cheers
Andy |