What you need to know about diving medicine but won't find in a textbook

Abstract

The old adage that 'if a patient in your emergency department (ED) is wearing a wetsuit, fins and a mask, then he/she probably has a diving related illness' is one that should be remembered. This is an obvious statement that should not need stating; however, simple clues can be missed or disregarded. This article will address issues that may confront emergency physicians and for which there are few resources to find the answers. It aims to explain the reasons behind some of the advice given during consultation with a hyperbaric physician. The second aim is to bring emergency physicians up to date with new diving practices and how these may impact upon traditional diving injuries. To achieve these aims, this article is a compilation of answers to frequently asked or pertinent questions related to diving medicine.