The Society For
Human Performance In Extreme Environments
Acute decompression sickness: Emergency diagnosis and treatment (1997). Stephens, M. Human Performance in Extreme Environments, v 2(1), p. 133-136. This report focuses on acute decompression sickness (DCS), an ailment afflicting underwater divers and other personnel working in pressurized environments, and offers guidelines for those treating DCS regarding the pathophysiology, predisposing factors, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of individuals experiencing DCS.
Guidelines for treatment of decompression illness: A special report (1997). Moon, R.E., & Sheffield, P.J. Aviation, Space & Environmental Medicine, v 68(3), p. 234-243. (88 refs).
Performance during positive pressure breathing after rapid decompression up to 72,000 feet (1997). Lindeis, A.E., Fraser, W.D., & Fowler, B. Human Factors, v 39(1), p. 102-110. Positive pressure breathing (PPB) is a survival system that delivers high-pressure oxygen and body counterpressure in the event of cockpit depressurization at high altitude, but the ability of aircrew to perform an emergency "get-me-down" maneuver with this system is unknown. To address this question, a serial choice reaction time (RT) task was administered to participants who were sustained with PPB after rapid decompression to 60,000 ft or 72,000 ft in a hypobaric chamber. Experiment 2 assessed the effects of PPB alone on performance. In Experiment 3, performance was measured while the rate of decrease of oxygen saturation observed in Experiment 1 was replicated with low oxygen mixtures at ground level. During the first 60 s at 72,000 ft, RT increased by 79 ms because of a shift of the whole distribution to the right. PPB at ground level did not increase RT. Decreasing oxygen saturation at ground level increased RT, but only after a delay. The authors conclude that inattention to the task, PPB alone, or, surprisingly, hypoxia cannot explain the majority of the impairment observed in Experiment 1. Rather, PPB and low pressure at high altitude interacted to exacerbate lacrimation, thereby degrading vision. Implications for the design of get-me-down maneuvers are discussed.
Scuba decompression illness and diving fatalities in an overseas military community (1997). Arness, M.K. Aviation, Space & Environmental Medicine, v 68(4), p. 325-333. A study of Scuba Decompression Illness (SDI) and fatalities was conducted for 1989-95 (92 cases). Risk factors are identified and discussed. Selected illustrative and unusual cases are discussed.
Prevalence of decompression sickness among U-2 pilots (1996). Bendrick, G.A., Pilmanis, A.A. & Bison, R.U. Aviation, Space & Environmental Medicine, v 76(3), p. 199-206. Though it is rarely reported, DCS is an expected risk for U-2 aviators. A survey of 416 U-2 pilots was completed. Results showed that for those responding, 75.5% of pilots experienced DCS symptoms during their career,.
Neurological decompression illness in swine (1996). Broome, J.R., & Dick, E.J. Aviation, Space & Environmental Medicine, v 67(3), p. 207-213. A porcine model of neurological decompression illness and its treatment is described.
The initial signs and symptoms of altitude decompression sickness (1996). Ryles, M.T., & Pilmanis, A.A. Aviation, Space & Environmental Medicine, v 67(10), p 983-989. While the majority of papers on decompression sickness are retrospective reviews of patients treated hours or days post-exposure, the initial presentation while still at altitude is the form of decompression sickness that aircrew must be able to recognize in order to respond correctly. This paper reports the initial manifestations of DCS that occurred during a series of prospective hypobaric chamber studies.
Neurobehavioral and magnetic resonance imaging findings in two cases of decompression sickness (1989). Levin, H.S., et al. Aviation, Space, & Environmental Medicine, v 60(12), p. 1204-1210. Two male divers underwent neurobehavioral examinations and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) within the first two weeks of sustaining decompression sickness. Neurologic and MRI findings are discussed.
Operation Everest II: Altitude decompression sickness during repeated altitude exposure (1987). Malconian, M.K., Rock, P.B., et al. Aviation, Space, & Environmental Medicine . v 58(7), p. 679-682. Studied the incidence of altitude decompression sickness in altitude scientists during repeated altitude exposure in a decompression chamber. Incidence of altitude decompression sickness appeared related to frequency of exposure, severity of altitude, and physical activity. Incidence was not related to age, duration of exposure, or body index.
Factitious decompression sickness (1984). Murphy, B.P., Davis, J.C., & Henderson, D.L. Aviation, Space, & Environmental Medicine, v 55(5), p. 396-397. Contends that diagnosis of decompression sickness is made largely by history, but there are few physical findings and no radiographic or laboratory tests to support the diagnosis. Cases are presented for 3 men who fabricated an appropriate history and underwent compression therapy for factitious decompression. It is suggested that no delays be made in the start of compression therapy, because of the potential severity of decompression sickness.
High pressure state simulation studies as an aid to understanding diving problems (1972). Mackay, R.S. IEEE Transactions on Bio-Medical Engineering, v 19(2), p. 140-143. Gives a brief discussion of decompression sickness, as it can affect tunnel workers, pilots, or divers, along with an analog computer configuration to represent the situation. The configuration has proved helpful in aiding engineers to understand some of the mechanisms involved, and the recordings that result seem helpful in providing to physiologists and divers a feeling for the probable effect of a change in circumstances associated with a proposed dive (e.g., the effect of changing a gas mixture or changing the time course of a dive is readily visualized, as are the results of using a continuously variable gas mixture and continuous ascent for minimum decompression time).