ABSTRACT
Decompression sickness (DCS) is an extremely variable disease with multiple possible symptoms, many of which are non-specic. ere are no laboratory tests or other investigations that conrm the diagnosis, and diving physicians frequently have to integrate knowledge of diving, diver behaviour, DCS pathophysiology, DCS presentation and other competing diagnoses in formulating an appropriate response to reports of symptoms aer diving. Not surprisingly, there are frequent diagnostic conundrums. is oen occurs in the context of situations where the implications of the diagnosis are profound, such as when the victim is aboard a charter boat in a remote location and evacuation will cause a major disruption to multiple highpaying customers. ese situations can be very challenging for the diving physician.
