Aims : To test the hypothesis that artefact caused by postmortem off-gassing is at least partly responsible for the presence of gas within the vascular system and tissues of the cadaver following death associated with compressed air diving. Methods : Controlled experiment sacrificing sheep after a period of simulated diving in a hyperbaric chamber and carrying out sequential postmortem computed tomography (CT) on the cadavers. Results: All the subject sheep developed significant quantities of gas in the vascular system within 24 hours, as demonstrated by CT and necropsy, while the control animals did not. Conclusions : The presence of gas in the vascular system of human cadavers following diving associated fatalities is to be expected, and is not necessarily connected with gas embolism following pulmonary barotrauma, as has previously been claimed.

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Wounds to the pretibial region in the elderly are common and have been estimated to account for 5.2 per 1000 emergency department attendances.1 In this patient population, such an injury can precipitate a rapid decline in mobility and independence. Minimising the period of immobility associated with such an injury has been shown to reduce this effect.2 In many cases this is best achieved through early debridement and split skin-graft coverage. However, unacceptable delays often occur in the care pathway of these patients. This frequently leads to a considerably longer period of hospitalisation and immobility than is necessary.

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