Why is it important to deliver 100% oxygen in diving emergencies?

Delivering 100% oxygen in diving emergencies is crucial primarily because it helps in the healing of decompression sickness. When a diver experiences decompression sickness, nitrogen bubbles can form in the bloodstream and tissues due to rapid ascent or other factors. By administering pure oxygen, the partial pressure of oxygen in the body increases, which helps to dissolve the nitrogen bubbles back into the blood and allows for safer elimination from the body. This process not only provides much-needed oxygen to the tissues but also accelerates the removal of nitrogen, thereby reducing the risk of further complications associated with decompression sickness.

Using hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been shown to substantially improve recovery outcomes for divers suffering from this condition. It's a critical aspect of emergency response for diving injuries as it addresses the root cause of the issue effectively.