Penn Dive Medicine

Dive Emergencies

Penn's physicians are certified experts in dive medicine and have decades of experience providing specialty care for divers.  Emergency therapy is available 24 hours a day, year-round. Our team works with numerous emergency response systems to provide care across the tri-state area and throughout Pennsylvania. Certain diving injuries may require treatment in a hyperbaric chamber, such as: 

• Decompression sickness ("The Bends")
• Gas embolism (bubbles in the bloodstream)

Decompression Sickness 

Decompression sickness (DCS, often called "the bends") is caused by tiny nitrogen bubbles that form in the blood or tissues during a dive. Symptoms of decompression sickness may include:

• joint and muscle pain
• swelling or rash
• paralysis
• poor coordination or balance
• fatigue
• numbness
• weakness
• brain fog 

Gas Embolism 

Air gas emboli (AGE) can occur when bubbles are released in the body and restrict blood flow. This often occurs immediately after a dive. This is a very serious condition and can be life threatening. Symptoms of gas emboli can include: 

• loss of consciousness
• seizures
• weakness and numbness
• confusion
• poor coordination or balance
• paralysis