Physiological Effects of Repeated Decompression and Recent Advances in Decompression Sickness Research: A Review

One of the concerns for future spaceflight activities is the intermediate and/or long-term physiological or pathological complications which may develop in those individuals who engage in repetitive EVAs. Notwithstanding the thousands of exposures of individuals to decreased atmospheric pressures over the last 50 years, the syndrome of DCS still remains poorly understood, particularly as regards repeated exposure to pressure changes.

The literature on the effects of repetitive exposure to low barometic pressures is confounding. Studies supporting an increased, decreased, and no change to susceptibility to DCS associated with repeated exposure to reduced pressures were found, and are discussed.