What is the most commonly reported symptom of DCS?

The most commonly reported symptom of Decompression Sickness (DCS) is pain. This condition often manifests after a diver ascends too quickly, causing nitrogen bubbles to form in the body. These bubbles can cause severe pain, particularly in the joints and muscles, which is often described as resembling the pain from a deep bone bruise. The pain may also be accompanied by other symptoms, but it is the pain that is most prominently reported by divers experiencing DCS.

Understanding the prevalence of pain as a symptom is crucial for divers and rescue personnel because recognizing and responding to this symptom quickly can significantly impact the diagnosis and treatment of DCS. Early identification of pain gives rescuers the opportunity to assess the situation more accurately and take appropriate action, such as initiating a safe ascent or arranging for further medical evaluation and treatment.

While fatigue, nausea, and disorientation are symptoms that can accompany DCS and are important to recognize, they are generally less commonly reported than pain, which is often the foremost complaint in cases of decompression sickness. Thus, when considering DCS cases, pain stands out as the hallmark symptom that indicates the need for immediate attention.