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Decompression Syndromes: The Bends (cont.)

Next Steps

Follow-up

Follow up immediately for any further signs or symptoms of decompression illness within the next 7 days. After suffering decompression sickness, you should not dive again until cleared by a doctor. Depending on the severity of symptoms, and if you have suffered decompression sickness before, your doctor will likely recommend not to dive again or to avoid diving for some amount of time.



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Decompression Sickness »

Although decompression sickness (DCS), a complex resulting from changed barometric pressure, includes high-altitude–related and aerospace-related events, this article focuses on decompression associated with the sudden decrease in pressures during underwater ascent, usually occurring during free or assisted dives.

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