If divers' symptoms recur after recompression, how should you treat them?

• A. Treat as a recurrence of Type II symptoms.
• B. Ignore and monitor.
• C. Reduce treatment.
• D. End treatment and ascend.

Answer: (A)

When symptoms return after recompression, treat it as a recurrence of Type II decompression sickness. Type II refers to more serious, often neurological or organ involvement (such as brain, spinal cord, inner ear, or lungs), which means the bubbles causing the symptoms may still be present and tissue oxygenation remains inadequate. The appropriate response is to reinitiate hyperbaric oxygen therapy promptly, following established treatment tables, and continue 100% oxygen with careful monitoring until symptoms resolve. If symptoms recur during therapy, extend or repeat treatment as per protocol, and consider additional cycles as needed.

Avoid ignoring the recurrence, reducing treatment, or ending the dive after symptoms briefly improve, and never ascend while symptoms persist. The goal is to aggressively address the ongoing bubble load and oxygenate at the highest practical level to prevent progression.