Reported DCS on plane

[chillyinCanada]

Plane Makes Emergency Landing In Dallas When Scuba Diver Suffers Decompression Sickness

 

[Rollin Bonz]

Something seems amiss...
I know DCS is highly unpredictable, but 19 hours since diving, only 3 dives and only to 30 feet?
I'm curious as to his diving experience.

 

[bperrybap]

So according to this report, a diver did 3 dives between 15 and 30 ft in Cancun, and took a flight home 19 hours later.
He reportedly got DCS on the flight. Is that even possible?
Plane Makes Emergency Landing In Dallas When Scuba Diver Suffers Decompression Sickness

Can you really build up and retain enough nitrogen to get DCS on a flight after just 3 dives to a maximum of only 30ft and a 19hr SIT time? even if dehydrated?

--- bill

 

[bperrybap]

Maybe he was so worried about getting DCS that he had an anxiety attack.
That could cause hyperventilating/breathing issues, and tingling in extremities.
--- bill

 

[wnissen]

That's hard to imagine. Typical cabin pressure is equivalent to 6000-8000 ft (1800-2400 m). If you did those dives at 8000 ft (the worst case), 30 ft (10m) turns into 40 ft. Using that depth, three hourlong dives to 40 ft, with minimal 30 minute surface intervals, would put you in pressure group X, right about at the NDL for 40 ft. But that's the worst case. Even if none of the dives were shallower, or shorter, or had longer surface intervals, you'd think the 19 hours would have been enough to protect him.

 

[rjack321]

So according to this report, a diver did 3 dives between 15 and 30 ft in Cancun, and took a flight home 19 hours later.
He reportedly got DCS on the flight. Is that even possible?
Plane Makes Emergency Landing In Dallas When Scuba Diver Suffers Decompression Sickness

Can you really build up and retain enough nitrogen to get DCS on a flight after just 3 dives to a maximum of only 30ft and a 19hr SIT time? even if dehydrated?

--- bill

hypochondria is real too

 

[digdug87]

From one news article that I read, it stated that he was dehydrated, and had been work out prior to take off.

 

[JackD342]

From one news article that I read, it stated that he was dehydrated, and had been work out prior to take off.

Also could be some added factors not listed. Alcohol consumption? Hot tub? Etc.

 

[yle]

From the article linked above, a quote from the "victim":

“We were only about 20 minutes into the flight when my hands started tingling. I felt nauseous, dizzy and had trouble breathing,” said Altoos, 26. “I told the flight attendant I need oxygen right away. I think I have decompression sickness.”

Both hands tingling!! Nausea, trouble breathing! Wow... sounds very serious.

So they had to make an "emergency landing" in Dallas. But Cancun to Dallas is 3 hours. So if he experienced these symptoms 20 minutes into the flight, it was several more hours (while flying at altitude) before he could get to a hospital.

But at least he was able to self-diagnose the DCS. Very likely he'll have recurring symptoms for the rest of his life, might not ever go on another DSD again.

 

[yle]

Something seems amiss...
I know DCS is highly unpredictable, but 19 hours since diving, only 3 dives and only to 30 feet?
I'm curious as to his diving experience.

Reading between the lines, I would be willing to bet that his total diving experience is what you just described. That is, he went on three DSDs during his stay.