The Philippine Commission on Sports SCUBA Diving (PCSSD) has issued an official statement clarifying its position on the use of In-Water Recompression (IWR) as a response to decompression illness (DCI) in the Philippines.
In its announcement, the Commission reaffirmed that IWR is not a standard treatment for DCI and should not be performed as a routine procedure in recreational diving operations. The globally recognized standard of care, the PCSSD emphasized, remains immediate medical evaluation and treatment in a hyperbaric recompression chamber under qualified medical supervision.
Serious Risks and Strict Conditions
While the Commission acknowledged that IWR has occasionally been used internationally as an emergency measure in remote environments, it stressed that the procedure carries significant dangers, including oxygen toxicity, drowning,and worsening of symptoms.
According to the PCSSD, IWR should only ever be considered as a last resort, and only when hyperbaric treatment is impossible within a safe timeframe. Even then, it must be performed exclusively by individuals with specialized training and the proper equipment.
Strengthening Diver Safety and Emergency Preparedness
The PCSSD reminded dive operators and professionals of their duty of care, which includes maintaining robust emergency response plans and ensuring rapid access to medical facilities capable of providing hyperbaric treatment.
“Diver safety is and will always be the PCSSD’s highest priority,” the statement read. The Commission also announced ongoing efforts to strengthen emergency preparedness, including mapping recompression chambers, enhancing emergency protocols, and building partnerships with local health facilities.
Official Guidance for Dive Operators
The Commission reiterated that it does not endorse In-Water Recompression as a standard treatment for decompression illness in the Philippines. It also urged all accredited operators and stakeholders to disseminate this guidance to their teams and clients and to ensure strict compliance with PCSSD safety standards.
For questions or clarifications, the PCSSD encouraged industry professionals to reach out directly via pcssd@tourism.gov.ph
Comments
