What should be done immediately if a diver exhibits signs of an arterial gas embolism?

When a diver exhibits signs of an arterial gas embolism, immediate action is critical due to the life-threatening nature of the condition. The correct response is to transport the diver to a recompression chamber as soon as possible.

An arterial gas embolism occurs when gas bubbles enter the bloodstream, potentially leading to severe complications such as stroke or embolism. The primary treatment for this condition is hyperbaric oxygen therapy, which is administered in a recompression chamber. This therapy helps reduce the size of the gas bubbles, provides the body with oxygen under pressure, and assists in healing damaged tissues.

While monitoring breathing and maintaining calm are important for the diver's overall management, they are not sufficient to address the serious medical emergency presented by an arterial gas embolism. Similarly, giving food and water is neither appropriate nor helpful in this critical situation. Performing CPR may be necessary in the case of cardiac arrest, but the first step when recognizing symptoms of an arterial gas embolism is to ensure swift transport to a recompression facility for appropriate treatment. Therefore, immediate action towards recompression is the priority.