What is an essential part of the treatment for any decompression illness?

An essential part of the treatment for any decompression illness is the administration of 100% oxygen. When a diver experiences decompression sickness, nitrogen bubbles can form in the body tissues due to rapid ascent. Breathing pure oxygen helps to reduce the size of these bubbles, promotes their reabsorption into the blood, and increases the amount of oxygen available to tissues that may be suffering from ischemia due to bubble formation.

Using 100% oxygen also enhances the elimination of nitrogen through the process of increased partial pressure, which aids in faster recovery from the condition. This treatment is a crucial component of hyperbaric oxygen therapy, which is the standard approach for decompression sickness.

The other options do not address the specific physiological needs of someone suffering from decompression illness, making them less effective or irrelevant in this context.