Table 2.

Features of decompression sickness and associated neurological deficits.

Types of DCS	Symptoms and signs	Speed of onset
Type 1	Musculoskeletal pain and cutaneous symptoms such as “marbling” or cutis marmorata	Begin quickly and build in intensity
Type 2	More serious affecting 1 or more of the following	Immediate to delayed
	(i) Neurological: paraesthesia, ataxia, focal deficits, altered mental status. Spinal cord is the commonest site of involvement	Delayed presentation can result in more serious injury due to insidious onset and delay in reporting
	(ii) Inner-ear: tinnitus, vertigo, ataxia, deafness
	(iii) Cardiopulmonary: dyspnoea, pain, “gasp” due to sudden hypoxia from development of bubbles, cardiopulmonary collapse