Which of the following is included in the carbon monoxide treatment plan?

• A. Give the diver 100% oxygen
• B. Apply cooling therapy
• C. Administer air while withholding oxygen
• D. Evacuate without oxygen

Answer: (A)

High-flow 100% oxygen is used to treat carbon monoxide poisoning because it rapidly displaces CO from hemoglobin, restoring the blood’s ability to carry oxygen. CO binds strongly to hemoglobin, preventing oxygen delivery to tissues. Providing pure oxygen increases the amount of dissolved oxygen in the blood and accelerates CO dissociation, improving tissue oxygenation quickly. In a diving scenario, this helps prevent hypoxic injury as the diver detoxifies.

Cooling therapy isn’t a treatment for CO poisoning and won’t address the lack of oxygen delivery. Administering air while withholding oxygen would leave tissues starved of oxygen. Evacuating without oxygen means the diver remains in a low-oxygen state, which is dangerous. If symptoms are severe or there are neurologic signs, hyperbaric oxygen therapy may be considered as an escalation, but the essential initial step is giving 100% oxygen.