OKYpY: Significant increase in diving accidents

A significant increase in incidents of diving accidents has been observed in recent years in Cyprus in recreational diving as well as in military operations (from underwater disaster training to an accident involving a foreign submarine in Cypriot waters), in the oil and gas industry, in port projects, as well as in fish farming facilities, the State Health Services Organization (OKYPY) states in a statement.

As noted, the majority of people involved in diving accidents show symptoms of "diver's disease", a permanent threat to those involved in diving and requiring treatment with hyperbaric oxygen.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT), continues the announcement, is the method of administering 100% oxygen in an environment of greater than atmospheric pressure. The administration of oxygen takes place inside special chambers and the increase of pressure inside the chamber is done by the entry of compressed air, while the patients are given oxygen through a special face mask.

The only Department in Cyprus

As reported by OKYpY, in Cyprus the only fully equipped Department that is in operation 24 hours a day to deal with such incidents, is the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Department of Famagusta General Hospital of OKypY, which has a Decompression Chamber and offers in-hospital care.

The role of the Department, it is noted, is multi-faceted as it is not limited to offering health services to patients but provides advice and issues certificates to people who can dive.

An element that makes the Department stand out, it is pointed out, is the 24/7 support for diving accidents that require emergency services (Emergency Services). "The support is provided with the best standards, within an organized hospital area, with uninterrupted operation and a multitude of medical and nursing staff, of many and different specialties - TAEP, Radiology Laboratory, Chemistry, Intensive Care Unit/ICU, etc. - who can to assist in the complete treatment of a medical event," it added.

The value of hyperbaric oxygen treatments

As mentioned, hyperbaric oxygen was initially used in the treatment of decompression sickness, while it is now used to treat other morbid conditions, such as gangrene and carbon monoxide poisoning.

At the same time, it notes, more and more people around the world are turning to hyperbaric oxygen therapy to deal with physical strain and injuries related to work, sports, or just having a "bad time."

Rehabilitation of these types of injuries, it added, is important and if not treated in time can lead to chronic and often painful movement problems. Its use is particularly widespread among athletes of all levels and especially professionals in Europe and the USA.

Approved indications for hyperbaric oxygen therapy are carbon monoxide poisoning, divers disease, arterial air embolism, open crush fractures/compartmental syndrome, necrotizing soft tissue infections (anaerobic or mixed infections) including gas gangrene and healing of problematic ulcers (including the diabetic foot).

Also, chronic osteomyelitis, postretinal bone and soft tissue lesions, compromised cutaneous-myodermal grafts, flaps, sudden sensorineural hearing loss, central retinal artery occlusion, and aseptic bone necrosis of the femoral head.

The Department is staffed by a Specialist Pathologist with specialization in Hyperbaric Medicine and 4 Hyperbaric Nursing Officers with experience in ICU, TAEP and Surgical Clinics and has a state-of-the-art HAUX system, offering the possibility of simultaneous treatment of 4 patients in the main ward and 2 in the vestibule.