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Steve & Richard,

The interval from the time the diver surfaces until the time that the diver is 
in the chamber and back under pressure is critical.

The decision to initiate IWR depends on this interval.

In Feb 1993 I had a diver surface after 16 mins @ 63 msw air dive having 
omitted all deco due to a series of equipment failures.  The local RCC was 
visible and about 4 km away as the crow flies.

As the chamber personel were no closed up at the RCC operating panel (and could 
NOT normally be expected to be) and having considered the time interval to 
evacuate either by helo or boat, I put the diver back in the water within 5 
mins of surfacing.  The diver completed 30 mins @ 6 msw and 30 mins @ 3 msw 
(all on 02 - Linus may well have his security blanket - I always have my O2!).

The diver was then evacuated by boat and road on O2 (30 mins trip) to the RCC 
hospital.  The diver was admitted to A & E and underwent almost 2 hrs of tests 
before being recompressed.  Needless to say, the diver's condition deteriorated 
during this time without pressure.  

Given the circumstances of this case, I believe that the Hospital's decision to 
conduct tests for 2 hrs and not immediate recompression is nothing short of 
ignorance and negligence on the part of the hospital staff.

Fortunately the diver made a complete recovery and was back in the water within 
about 6 weeks.

IWR using O2 is a valid technique in the hands of informed individuals.

Rob

PS
Rich,  I would also use air if I had too as you stated. 

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