Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre (SLBMC) has successfully activated its emergency hyperbaric response pathway to receive and manage an international patient with suspected Type 2 decompression sickness (DCS) following a recreational scuba dive in the Virgin Islands.
The patient, a 34-year-old female recreational diver, developed neurological symptoms after a dive to approximately 80โ90 feet with standard ascent and decompression stops. She was initially assessed and stabilized at Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital (Peebles Hospital) in Tortola, British Virgin Islands, where she received high-flow oxygen and supportive care.
Following consultation with Divers Alert Network (DAN), the case was reviewed with DANโs emergency team and medical director, who recommended urgent Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy using U.S. Navy Treatment Table 6 as the definitive treatment. As hyperbaric facilities are not available in the BVI, SLBMC was identified as the appropriate regional referral center.
๐๐ฟ. ๐ฆ๐ต๐ถ๐๐ผ๐ป ๐๐ฒ๐น๐น๐ฒ-๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐๐ถ๐, ๐ ๐ฒ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐น ๐๐ถ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐ฆ๐ถ๐ฟ ๐๐ฒ๐๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐ถ๐ฟ๐ฑ ๐ ๐ฒ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐น ๐๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ฟ๐ฒ, emphasized the broader significance of the response:
โAt Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre, we continually strive to optimize the care offered locally because serving our people is always our first responsibility. At the same time, we recognize the importance of regional collaboration, and we are proud to play a growing role as a referral center for specialized services like hyperbaric medicine. This case reflects our commitment to preparedness, partnership, and delivering timely, high-quality care whenever it is needed.โ
The transfer and treatment were coordinated by ๐๐ฟ. ๐๐ฒ๐ป๐ท๐ฎ๐บรญ๐ป ๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฑ๐ด๐ฒ, ๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ป๐ถ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ด๐ถ๐๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฟ ๐ถ๐ป ๐๐ป๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ป๐ฎ๐น ๐ ๐ฒ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฏ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฐ ๐ ๐ฒ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฑ ๐ฎ๐ ๐ฆ๐๐๐ ๐, who oversaw the clinical and logistical planning.
โThis case highlighted the importance of regional collaboration in managing diving emergencies. By working closely with the referring hospital, Divers Alert Network (DAN), and air-ambulance providers, we were able to deliver timely recompression therapy and comprehensive medical care without delay,โ Dr. Bridge said.
SLBMCโs hyperbaric unit is equipped to provide U.S. Navy Treatment Table 6 and other evidence-based hyperbaric protocols for decompression illness and selected emergency indications. Upon arrival, the patient was assessed by the internal medicine and hyperbaric team, with treatment initiated promptly and supported by ongoing neurological monitoring.
This case underscores SLBMCโs growing role as a regional hub for specialized emergency services, including hyperbaric medicine, and reflects the hospitalโs continued commitment to strengthening partnerships across the Caribbean to improve outcomes for patients requiring advanced, time-sensitive care.
