Final answer:
Aircrew members must wait a specific period after compressed gas diving or hyperbaric chamber exposure before flying, to prevent decompression sickness. Divers use techniques to manage ascent and may require hyperbaric oxygen therapy if decompression sickness occurs. Research into the physiological effects of diving is ongoing to improve treatment for DCS.
Step-by-step explanation:
Aircrew members are advised not to fly within a certain time frame after engaging in activities that expose them to changes in pressure, such as compressed gas diving or hyperbaric chamber sessions.
This precaution is necessary to reduce the risk of decompression sickness (DCS), a condition that can occur if dissolved gases in the body form bubbles during rapid pressure changes. Divers are taught to ascend slowly or make decompression stops to minimize the risk. If preventive measures fail, treatment often involves hyperbaric oxygen therapy in a recompression chamber. Potential treatments for DCS also include identifying biomarkers through research on the physiological effects of diving.
Compressed gas diving, such as SCUBA activities, entails using tanks filled with air at high pressure. Since gases can be greatly condensed, divers can carry a sufficient supply of breathable air underwater. However, due to the high compressibility of gases, the diver's ascent must be managed carefully to prevent DCS.
When considering hyperbaric oxygen therapy, divers are placed in pressurized vessels that increase the ambient pressure and help dissolve the bubbles of gas that may have formed within the bloodstream. This helps alleviate symptoms ranging from joint pain to more severe conditions, potentially avoiding long-term health damage.