Biomaterial Database

Decompression sickness: USAF experience 1970-80. 1983

R B Rayman, and G B McNaughton

During the period 1970-80, there were 58 cases of decompression sickness in one of its forms reported in USAF aircrewmen. These cases occurred in a number of different types of aircraft in which cabin/cockpit depressurization occurred either intentionally (because of operational requirements) or because of mechanical malfunction. The most common manifestation of decompression sickness was bends, although some airmen experienced various degrees of neurological dysfunction. Even though none of the aircraft was lost or damaged due to crew incapacitation, the threat was clearly there. The authors briefly review decompression sickness including prevention, treatment, and aeromedical disposition.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008887	Military Medicine	The practice of medicine as applied to special circumstances associated with military operations.	Medicine, Military
D003664	Decompression	Decompression external to the body, most often the slow lessening of external pressure on the whole body (especially in caisson workers, deep sea divers, and persons who ascend to great heights) to prevent DECOMPRESSION SICKNESS. It includes also sudden accidental decompression, but not surgical (local) decompression or decompression applied through body openings.
D003665	Decompression Sickness	A condition occurring as a result of exposure to a rapid fall in ambient pressure. Gases, nitrogen in particular, come out of solution and form bubbles in body fluid and blood. These gas bubbles accumulate in joint spaces and the peripheral circulation impairing tissue oxygenation causing disorientation, severe pain, and potentially death.	Bends,Caisson Disease,Caisson Diseases,Disease, Caisson,Diseases, Caisson,Sickness, Decompression
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328	Adult	A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available.	Adults
D000337	Aerospace Medicine	That branch of medicine dealing with the studies and effects of flight through the atmosphere or in space upon the human body and with the prevention or cure of physiological or psychological malfunctions arising from these effects. (from NASA Thesaurus)	Aviation Medicine,Space Medicine,Medicine, Aerospace,Medicine, Aviation,Medicine, Space
D001359	Aviation	Design, development, manufacture, and operation of heavier-than-air AIRCRAFT.	Parachuting,Air Traffic Control,Control, Air Traffic,Traffic Control, Air
D014481	United States	A country in NORTH AMERICA between CANADA and MEXICO.