Why is administering oxygen promptly crucial for suspected DCI?

Administering oxygen promptly is crucial for suspected Decompression Illness (DCI) because it significantly enhances the effectiveness of recompression therapy. When a diver experiences DCI, nitrogen bubbles can form in the body tissues due to rapid changes in pressure. Supplemental oxygen helps to reduce the size of these bubbles and improve the body's ability to eliminate them, ultimately speeding up the recovery process when the affected individual is recompressed.

The use of high-flow oxygen prior to recompression can also help to drive off nitrogen from the tissues more efficiently, optimizing the treatment's success. This aspect of oxygen therapy is essential, as it directly correlates with the outcome of recompression treatment, leading to a better prognosis for the diver.

Other options, while they may have some merit in different contexts, do not address the specific physiological benefits that oxygen provides when dealing with DCI in terms of improving treatment outcomes. For instance, while oxygen may help with pain management or safety indirectly, the primary reason for its prompt administration is to ensure that recompression therapy is as effective as possible.