Oxygen poisoning seizure > how to react ?

[PfcAJ]

Sending someone to the surface is just a huge unknown. You’re totally reliant on other people who may or may not spot your buddy. Then you need them to actually recover your buddy.

That’s just an inordinate risk.

You always have the option of immediately descending and resuming your decompression after making the handoff.

 

[NothingClever]

Yes from last Monday

I assumed so but thought I’d confirm. I‘ve been tracking the incident since the evacuation.

I understand your post is about what to do in the event a diver suffers oxygen toxicity but I think some fundamental questions about course standards, marking bottles and rehearsals still need to be answered. Not for me, not here, not for the forum - but for the local dive community. I hope the diver’s death and the chamber ride for the other two are not in vain and that the incident stimulates a sober reflection on basic standards and procedures. I already know the Saudi government is taking drastic measures that would be considered an over-reaction in other parts of the world. That’s cultural and difficult to get around. But divers are not limited from pursuing positive change, that of taking procedures and standards more seriously.

This leads to a segue for me.

If I dive with others that are negligent in basic standards, the amount of risk I will assume for myself to save another diver will dramatically decrease. If my dive buddies are straight in teamwork, standards, rehearsals, gas switch protocols, etc, then I will be much more willing to expose myself to potential risks to save a life.

Not trying to be harsh, just trying to share my perspective on how much I will stick my neck out for others who can’t be bothered with the basics.

 

[boulderjohn]

I am surprised that no one has commented on the link I provided to a consensus report by a group of acknowledged experts after a review of research. I will summarize key points:

• If the regulator is not in the mouth, the diver's only hope of survival is to get to the surface ASAP.
• If a regulator is in the mouth during the initial phases of a seizure, it is not clear whether an ascent can safely begin immediately. There are indications that the glottis is not totally closed, and it is further possible that even if it is primarily closed for inhalation, exhalation may occur. Because of the lack of certainty, the group decided to stick with the advice to wait out the seizure before ascending, making certain that the regulator was well sealed by the lips.

 

[Etmutt]

I am surprised that no one has commented on the link I provided to a consensus report by a group of acknowledged experts after a review of research. I will summarize key points:

• If the regulator is not in the mouth, the diver's only hope of survival is to get to the surface ASAP.
• If a regulator is in the mouth during the initial phases of a seizure, it is not clear whether an ascent can safely begin immediately. There are indications that the glottis is not totally closed, and it is further possible that even if it is primarily closed for inhalation, exhalation may occur. The group decided to stick with the advice to wait out the seizure before ascending, making certain that the regulator was well sealed by the lips.

Yes it seems really like the go to way...

However, it leaves a grey area in case the deco obligation breach will result in a guaranteed death : do try to forcefully put the reg ? Technically if you put it back before the end of the seizure, and purge it, you are quite sure to have a clear airway no?

 

[Celt]

I am surprised that no one has commented on the link I provided to a consensus report by a group of acknowledged experts after a review of research. I will summarize key points:

• If the regulator is not in the mouth, the diver's only hope of survival is to get to the surface ASAP.
• If a regulator is in the mouth during the initial phases of a seizure, it is not clear whether an ascent can safely begin immediately. There are indications that the glottis is not totally closed, and it is further possible that even if it is primarily closed for inhalation, exhalation may occur. The group decided to stick with the advice to wait out the seizure before ascending, making certain that the regulator was well sealed by the lips.

By staying at depth breathing the same mix he toxed on you run the risk of a full blown convulsions, he will then drown.

 

[boulderjohn]

By staying at depth breathing the same mix he toxed on you run the risk of a full blown convulsions, he will then drown.

Read what I wrote. He is already in convulsions.

 

[boulderjohn]

Yes it seems really like the go to way...

However, it leaves a grey area in case the deco obligation breach will result in a guaranteed death : do try to forcefully put the reg ? Technically if you put it back before the end of the seizure, and purge it, you are quite sure to have a clear airway no?

I suggest you read the full article in my link.

 

[Celt]

Read what I wrote. He is already in convulsions.

The severity of the convulsion is dependent on the ppo2 and critically the time breathing the mix. The sooner the depth is reduced the quicker the diver will recover, as you can’t change the mix.

 

[happy-diver]

If I dive with others that are negligent in basic standards, the amount of risk I will assume for myself to save another diver will dramatically decrease. If my dive buddies are straight in teamwork, standards, rehearsals, gas switch protocols, etc, then I will be much more willing to expose myself to potential risks to save a life.

Eloquently put thank you.

 

[Wibble]

I'll be the 1st to admit I don't know. Gas switches scare me after reading about all the fatalities because of them.

This is the main objective of training for accelerated decompression; there are strict gas switching protocols which are simply:- check your depth, check the gas, is it safe to breathe at that depth. Only then do you switch.

Done correctly there's no issues whatsoever.

One of the incidents described above was switching to the wrong "bottom" mix. The diver had more than one stage cylinder and failed to do the switching protocol of reading the label on the gas for the MOD, thus switching to the deco gas not the bottom gas.

Much of this starts before getting on the boat. You always analyse your gas. You always correctly label your gas (including MOD). Then, when in the water, you always run through the switching protocol.