Abstract

RIO VAZQUEZ, Vicente et al. Etiopathogenic aspects of the decompression illness in divers. Rev Cub Med Mil [online]. 2005, vol.34, n.2. ISSN 0138-6557.

The incidence of the decompression illness in Cuba has increased in the last years. For this sickness to appear, the divers should breath a gaseous mix containing one or more inert gases (for instance: nitrogen, helium, hydrogen) and they should remain under water for a time and at a certain depth so that a considerable saturation of inert gas occurs in the tissues. Under these conditions, it is indispensable that the diver makes static stops to eliminate the excess of inert gas accumulated in the tissues. If the diver does not do so, an excessive oversaturation of inert gas will occur that may reach the critical point of oversaturation, starting from which the gas changes of state and makes bubbles.These bubbles that may be intravascular and/or extravascular are the responsible for the symptomatic picture of the decompression illness.

Keywords : Decompression illness; divers; pathogeny; nitrogen; bubbles; inert gas.