What do you do if a diver has DCS in the water?

• A. Dispatch the standby diver to assist. Continue to decompress according to the original schedule.
• B. Descend the diver to 20 fsw for treatment.
• C. Remain at current depth for 60 minutes.
• D. Immediately surface and treat on the surface.

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that when decompression sickness shows up in the water, the priority is to support the diver and keep them on the planned decompression schedule rather than changing depth or rushing to the surface. The standby diver should assist, ensure the diver’s safety and comfort, and the diver should continue following the original decompression stops. This approach helps prevent further nitrogen bubble formation and minimizes additional nitrogen loading as you get the diver safely to the surface for immediate oxygen treatment and subsequent hyperbaric care. Descending to a shallower depth or staying at the current depth for an extended time would not address the underlying issue and could worsen the condition, while surfacing immediately without completing the planned decompression can lead to rapid ascent injuries and insufficient off-gassing.