decompression sickness, gold HOSTAL, is a serious but relatively rare condition for Phuket divers. However, this is not the case for tourists, and although tour operators in Phuket strongly emphasize safety, as a visitor to the island there are a few things you should know about DCI:

ICD or related disease, chief information officer (decompression sickness) occurs, on average, during 1 in 10,000 tourist dives. The symptoms of both are similar. Patients describe feeling dizzy when coming out of the water and their complexion may turn red; they will feel weak in the knees and may experience a wild mood swing. Also, shortness of breath is common, as is loss of bladder control, and in extreme cases, extreme pain and then complete paralysis can occur.

Other warning signs include severe fatigue and coughing fits, but all of the above can be easily avoided by following these simple safety instructions:

Always drink copious amounts of water to avoid dehydration when diving in Phuket, as Thailand’s environment is one that quickly absorbs fluid from your body, even if you’re submerged all day in the wet stuff.

Always ascend slowly and use your dive computer just like you use your iPad or other high-tech device, carefully and at all times!

Do not dive beyond the no decompression limits, no matter how tempting the coral or the wreck may be. Ignoring these limits is the fastest way to become a disaster.

When doing multiple dives in a day, pay even more attention to the safety instructions above, as fatigue will always increase the possibility of mistakes.

And if you have symptoms of ICD or DCS, seek medical attention right away and don’t wait for the above symptoms to just “go away.” In many cases, things will just get worse.

If you find yourself in a bad situation, the people at HST can help. In cooperation with the Texas-based Underwater Safety Services International Recompression Chamber Network (SSIRCN), Hyperbaric Services Thailand (HST) has decompression facilities that can help you get back on your fins in no time.

The chambers (and there are at least 3 in the area) are rated at 50msw depth to provide mixed gas air recompression or hyperbaric oxygen for multiple patients at any given time.

Medical technicians can assist you with your chamber visit from outside the chamber, using the latest equipment to date. All vaults are certified safe and come equipped with fire deluge systems.

And one last tourist tip about diving in Phuket: travel insurance may or may not cover any diving accidents or DSI/DCI treatment. Check your policy before leaving home!

For more information about DSI or ICD treatment, and available facilities, please use the following contact information:

If in Koh Samui:
HST Koh Samui at 34/8 Moo 4 Bophut, Koh Samui, 84320 Surat Thani. Telephone: 0810 819555, Fax: 077 427377

If in Phuket:
HST Phuket City at 44/1 Moo 5, Chalermprakiat Ror 9 Road, Vichit, Muang, 83000 Phuket. Telephone: +66 (0)810 819000, Fax +66 (0)76 612660