Eilat Diver Survives Cardiac Event and Rapid Ascent Thanks to Fast Care

An experienced diver in Eilat suffered a sudden cardiac event and severe shortness of breath at a depth of 25 meters, prompting a dangerous emergency ascent without a safety stop. The diver, identified by a pseudonym, recalled feeling as though someone suddenly blocked his mouth and nose. Realizing his condition was worsening, he ascended to 10 meters, inflated his buoyancy compensator, and surfaced directly to avoid further distress.

Upon reaching the shore, he was rushed to the emergency department at Yoseftal Medical Center in Eilat. Medical examinations revealed that he had suffered a cardiac event, and the rapid ascent significantly heightened the risk of decompression sickness. The hospital staff provided immediate stabilization and administered prolonged hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the pressure chamber.

After his condition stabilized, the diver was transferred to a central hospital for further cardiological evaluation. He praised Dr. Daher Aghbaria, head of the emergency department and a diving medicine expert at Yoseftal Medical Center, for providing exceptional, life-saving care during six consecutive hours in the emergency room.

Dr. Aghbaria explained that diving places significant physiological stress on the heart and respiratory system due to pressure changes and the marine environment. He noted that a cardiac event underwater presents a complex medical challenge, requiring rapid cardiac intervention alongside the prevention and treatment of decompression sickness caused by a sharp ascent. Following the ordeal, the diver urged the diving community to listen to their bodies and never hesitate to seek help when anomalies arise underwater.