Scuba diving accidents
Dembert, M.L.
American Family Physician 16(2): 75-80
1977
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-838X PMID: 888755 Document Number: 120634
The principal scuba diving medical problems of barotrauma, air embolism and decompression sickness have as their pathophysiologic basis the Ideal Gas Law and Boyle's Law. Hyperbaric chamber recompression therapy is the only definitive treatment of air embolism and decompression sickness. However, with a basic knowledge of diving medicine, the family physician can provide effective supportive care to the patient prior to initiation of hyperbaric therapy.