Objective To observe the protective effect of rutin on a rat model of decompression sickness (DCS). Methods Eighty rats were randomly divided into normal control group (n=12), DCS group (n=34), and rutin+DCS group (n=34). An air-pressurized simulated diving method was used to establish a rat DCS model. The incidence and onset time of DCS, pathological changes of spinal cord and lung tissues, content of inflammation factors and oxidative stress index in spinal cord tissues, lung wet/dry ratio and protein content in alveolar lavage fluid were compared among the 3 groups to evaluate the effect of rutin on DCS injury in rats. Results The incidence of DCS in DCS group was 47.06% (16/34), the incidence of DCS in rutin+DCS group (26.47%, 9/34) was decreased compared with DCS group, but with no statistical difference (P=0.078). The DCS onset time in rutin+DCS group was (9.53±1.88) min, which was significantly delayed compared with DCS group ([6.27±2.64]min) (P<0.05). Compared with normal control group, the contents of tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin 1β and malondialdehyde in spinal cord tissues, the protein content in alveolar lavage fluid, and lung wet/dry ratio in DCS group were significantly increased (all P<0.05); and compared with DCS group, the above indexes were decreased in rutin+DCS group (all P<0.05). Rutin treatment also alleviated the pathological changes of lung tissues in DCS model rats. Conclusion Rutin treatment can improve DCS injuries in rats, and has a good protective effect on model rats.