Decompression sickness incidence over 63 months of hypobaric chamber operation

Aviat Space Environ Med. 1986 Nov;57(11):1097-101.

Abstract

U.S. Army hypobaric chamber operations over a 63-month period were retrospectively reviewed, and incidence rates for decompression sickness were calculated. The overall incidence rate was 1.38/1000 exposures. The rate for interior technicians monitoring chamber operations was 6.16/1000 exposures. The rate for students was 0.64/1000 exposures. The increased incidence of decompression sickness for technicians was especially pronounced for the 10,668-m and 13,106-m flight profiles. Rapid decompression after the 7,620-m flight profile did not appear to increase the incidence of decompression sickness.

MeSH terms

  • Altitude
  • Atmosphere Exposure Chambers*
  • Decompression Sickness / epidemiology*
  • Decompression Sickness / etiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Military Personnel*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk
  • United States