Antigua Hospital Provides Urgent Hyperbaric Care to Diver From British Virgin Islands

Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre (SLBMC) has successfully activated its emergency hyperbaric response pathway to receive and manage an international patient with suspected Type 2 decompression sickness (DCS) following a recreational scuba dive in the Virgin Islands.

The patient, a 34-year-old female recreational diver, developed neurological symptoms after a dive to approximately 80–90 feet with standard ascent and decompression stops. She was initially assessed and stabilized at Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital (Peebles Hospital) in Tortola, British Virgin Islands, where she received high-flow oxygen and supportive care.

Following consultation with Divers Alert Network (DAN), the case was reviewed with DAN’s emergency team and medical director, who recommended urgent Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy using U.S. Navy Treatment Table 6 as the definitive treatment. As hyperbaric facilities are not available in the BVI, SLBMC was identified as the appropriate regional referral center.

𝗗𝗿. 𝗦𝗵𝗶𝘃𝗼𝗻 𝗕𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲-𝗝𝗮𝗿𝘃𝗶𝘀, 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗶𝗿 𝗟𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗕𝗶𝗿𝗱 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲, emphasized the broader significance of the response:

“At Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre, we continually strive to optimize the care offered locally because serving our people is always our first responsibility. At the same time, we recognize the importance of regional collaboration, and we are proud to play a growing role as a referral center for specialized services like hyperbaric medicine. This case reflects our commitment to preparedness, partnership, and delivering timely, high-quality care whenever it is needed.”

The transfer and treatment were coordinated by 𝗗𝗿. 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗷𝗮𝗺í𝗻 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗴𝗲, 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝘆𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗯𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝗟𝗕𝗠𝗖, who oversaw the clinical and logistical planning.

“This case highlighted the importance of regional collaboration in managing diving emergencies. By working closely with the referring hospital, Divers Alert Network (DAN), and air-ambulance providers, we were able to deliver timely recompression therapy and comprehensive medical care without delay,” Dr. Bridge said.

SLBMC’s hyperbaric unit is equipped to provide U.S. Navy Treatment Table 6 and other evidence-based hyperbaric protocols for decompression illness and selected emergency indications. Upon arrival, the patient was assessed by the internal medicine and hyperbaric team, with treatment initiated promptly and supported by ongoing neurological monitoring.

This case underscores SLBMC’s growing role as a regional hub for specialized emergency services, including hyperbaric medicine, and reflects the hospital’s continued commitment to strengthening partnerships across the Caribbean to improve outcomes for patients requiring advanced, time-sensitive care.

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