Where should all diving victim patients be transported?

• A. UCSD Hillcrest
• B. Scripps Mercy Hospital
• C. Rady Children's Hospital
• D. Sharp Memorial Hospital

Answer: (A)

Diving injuries require definitive treatment with hyperbaric oxygen therapy to rapidly treat decompression sickness or arterial gas embolism. The best place to transport diving victim patients is the hospital that has an on-site hyperbaric chamber and experienced staff to administer HBOT. UCSD Hillcrest fits that need, making it the appropriate destination for definitive therapy. The other hospitals listed do not provide hyperbaric therapy, so while they can treat immediate symptoms, they cannot deliver the standard, life-saving HBOT treatment necessary for diving injuries.