What should you do if you are unsure whether vertigo is inner ear barotrauma or AGE?

• A. Recompress the diver
• B. Wait and observe
• C. Increase depth gradually
• D. Administer anti-vertigo medication

Answer: (A)

When vertigo after a dive could come from either inner ear barotrauma or acute gas embolism, act as if AGE is possible because it is life-threatening and time-sensitive. The definitive treatment for AGE is recompression with 100% oxygen, which helps shrink the gas bubbles and speeds off-gassing, improving tissue oxygenation. Starting recompression promptly gives you the best chance to prevent serious outcomes, since waiting or observing could allow the emboli to cause more injury. Trying to treat with anti-vertigo meds only relieves symptoms and does not address the underlying gas problem, while increasing depth or delaying treatment can worsen AGE or barotrauma. So, the prudent, life-saving step is to proceed with recompression and high-flow oxygen, while arranging immediate hyperbaric care.