First Aid for O2 Hit

[narked bubbleblower]

Just a quick question to the massive brains out there please can someone clarify the first aid to be given to someone suffering with an O2 hit (following the clonic phase of the convulsions) I suppose the point I am boiling down to is oxygen or not? Please can someone qualify. (We are B.S.A.C divers but not branch divers) My regular buddy and I have had a bit of a 'stand off' over the correct treatment)
Thanks
Jonno.

[David Walker]

Its been a while since i've done it, but it will depends on other symptoms. An O2 hit will usually occur at the deepest point in a dive, or at the beginning of accelerated deco, and as such will often be followed by a rapid ascent. Therefore treating the DCI needs to be considered too.

In that situation, i'd say that DCI is the priority, and so keep them on O2 as much as possible, only taking them off for short breaks if they do react violently, and get them back on it as soon as possible.

However, it is covered in either DL or Adv. Nitrox notes so it would be worth checking those for a definitive answer.

David

[Ed Howarth]

If the only thing wrong with them is the O2 hit then breathing air on the surface is all they need.

If they are also suffering from something that 100% O2 will help, i.e. DCI, shock, near drowning etc etc, then give 100% O2. If there is re-occurrence of O2 toxity symptoms, remove them from O2, wait until symptoms subside, then back onto O2.

My understanding, anyway.

Ed

[narked bubbleblower]

Many thanks for your prompt replies. Lets hope its never needed!
Regards
Jonno.

[PeteM]

Just a quick question to the massive brains out there please can someone clarify the first aid to be given to someone suffering with an O2 hit (following the clonic phase of the convulsions) I suppose the point I am boiling down to is oxygen or not? Please can someone qualify. (We are B.S.A.C divers but not branch divers) My regular buddy and I have had a bit of a 'stand off' over the correct treatment)
Thanks
Jonno.

The official guidance (o2 admin, nitrox and DL course) is give them O2. The chances of them having an O2 hit and no other problems (fast ascent, dci, burst lung, near drowning etc.) is minimal.

On the surface giving O2 is very unlikely to cause a hit as the max ppO2 you can get is 1bar which not an issue, even if they have another convulsion what is the problem? They are not going to drown which is why it is dangerous underwater.

So you treat the life threatening problems and give them O2, if they have a convulsion then take them off O2 for the duration, then put them back on.

Unfortunately I can not find the full reference on line but it explains a bit on the bottom of page 7 here
http://www.bsac.org/techserv/irc/o2refresher.pdf