Which of the following is a neurological symptom of Decompression Sickness Type 2 after surfacing?

• A. Hearing loss
• B. Coughing
• C. Tingling
• D. Marbling

Answer: (C)

Neurological involvement from Decompression Sickness Type 2 happens when nitrogen bubbles affect the nervous system after surfacing. Tingling is a classic sign because it reflects abnormal sensory nerve activity—paresthesias—that can occur when bubbles irritate or disrupt nerves in the brain, spinal cord, or peripheral nerves. This type of symptom points to nerve or CNS involvement, which is the hallmark of Type 2.

Hearing loss can occur with inner ear involvement but is not a universal neurological symptom and is more about vestibular or auditory nerve irritation. Coughing signals pulmonary involvement, not the nervous system. Marbling is a skin sign from cutaneous involvement, not a nervous-system issue. So tingling best exemplifies the neurological effects of Type 2 DCS after surfacing. If this sign appears, treat as suspected DCS and seek urgent hyperbaric care.