What should you do for a diver with symptomatic omitted Decompression Status (D)?

When dealing with a diver exhibiting symptomatic omitted decompression status, the priority is to perform a rapid assessment. This step is crucial because it allows for the immediate evaluation of the diver’s condition, helping to determine the severity of symptoms and identifying any potential decompression sickness. Quick assessment enables the diving team to gather vital information about the diver’s symptoms, dive profile, and time spent at depth, which are essential in deciding on the best treatment protocol.

Taking immediate action ensures that if the diver requires urgent medical attention or if hyperbaric treatments are necessary, those support measures can be initiated without delay. This assessment phase is foundational in managing diver health and safety in accordance with standard dive medical practices.