Press Release
September 24th, 2024
SAN JUAN COUNTY FIRE DISTRICT 4
Lopez Island Fire and EMS Department
2228 Fisherman Bay Road
Lopez Island, WA 98261
On Tuesday, September 24th, Lopez Fire and EMS responded to a call at the Islander Marina. On arrival crews met the patient arriving via boat; 911 was contacted after the patient had become sick immediately after diving.
Throughout evaluation by Lopez Island Medics and EMS crew, the patient was treated with an IV and given high-flow oxygen. The patient was then airlifted to Virginia Mason for immediate Hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Lopez Fire & EMS would like to remind all divers that most Decompression Sickness (DCS) manifests subtly with a minor joint ache, nausea, dizziness or an abnormal burning or tingling sensation in an extremity. Sometimes DCS symptoms remain mild and resolve by themselves, but symptoms of chest pain and shortness of breath can occur minutes to hours after a dive and require emergency department evaluation.
We are very glad that 911 was called and this patient was able to get the care needed right away!
**Update** 9/25/2024: The patient is doing well at Virginia Mason; working on dives in their Hyperbaric Chamber and expected to make a full recovery!
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