General Measures

• Lifesaving measures must take precedence to sustain life.
• Keep patient recumbent while maintaining patent airway. Place patient in flat supine position (head-down position may aggravate cerebral edema that develops).
• Maintain hydration with IV fluids.
• Hyperbaric oxygen:
  • 1st-line treatment of choice for arterial gas embolism; immediate transport to a suitable hyperbaric chamber for recompression as soon as possible; do not delay because of nonessential procedures.
  • 100% oxygen at pressure above that of the atmosphere at sea level
  • Decreases bubble size
  • Prevents cerebral edema
  • For assistance and advice on locating the nearest treatment chamber in your area, call Divers Alert Network (DAN) at any hour (919) 684-8111. Worldwide contact information available at http://www.diversalertnetwork.org.