The Iceni
Medical Moderator
Hi everyone!
On 7th November I suffered a nasty diving accident at Stoney Cove (A flooded quarry in the UK used for training). In fact I nearly died but thanks to the efforts of the paramedics, the medical team and the prayers of all my friends, includiing fellow scubaboarders, I am very much "alive and kicking".
So firstly, may I thank all of you for your good wishes and for the cards (and the bear!). They werre greatly appreciated.
I believe everyone should be able to learn from one's mistakes, mine (if there was one) was to dive with a relative novice.
What happened?
Trip to try out my new Dive-Rite Explorer wing in controlled conditions before using it at sea and to practice "drills". My budddy was using a new undersuit and wanted to sort out his buoyancy. I was using EAN 34% to max of 30 M first dive(ppO2 1.36 bar), 20 M second dive (ppO2 1.02 bar). Buddy using air.
First dive superb. The wing and Portland engineering steel backplate are a treat, much better than the buddy Trident I had previously used. Immediately happy and comfortable with it. Stayed at the 6 m mark for first 10 minutes until we were both comfortable then made our way the the wreck of the stanegarth. I practiced shut downs and changing mask in midwater.
Hour and a half surface interval, tea and burger.
Second dive with 7 litre sideslung pony, similar start to dive, visited various submerged items of interest such as the Nautilus and bus.
As planned at 15 M on ascent I practiced a controlled buoyant ascent which I am told was going very well untill we reached about 10 M when I simply lost conciousness, fell back and started to convulse. As I was originally controlling the lift using my buddy's wing, he was more buoyant than I. I gather he ascended several feet before he came down to get me but could not inflate my wing or dry suit. (?) So he surfaced to call for help.
I was brought to the surface, deeply unconcious after at least 10 minutes on the bottom at 20 M by which time I had become extremely oedematous. I understand it took the rescuers several attempts to get me on the rescue boat, the efforts for which caused a lot a bruising.
In coma for 3 weeks, dialysis for acute tubular necrosis (renal failure) during which time I was not allowed to drink anyrting. I was also ventilated for acute lung injury. The one thing I will NEVER forget is when they weaned my off the ventilator. It felt like my lungs had been taken out, put through a wringer and glued into my chest inside-out. It was PAINFUL. It was almost torture and I could not sleep for the following two nights due to the induced "air hunger" and the constant noise from the tubing. I was extremely relieved when the tracheostomy tube was eventually removed and I got my voice back.
In addition I ached all over and was so weak I could not even hold a fork to feed myself!
Now on the mend, with no serious damage. My renal function is almost normal (creatinine 180) I am up and about but I have very little stamina as yet.
How could I have survived with no brain damage? It is a genuine miracle.
On 7th November I suffered a nasty diving accident at Stoney Cove (A flooded quarry in the UK used for training). In fact I nearly died but thanks to the efforts of the paramedics, the medical team and the prayers of all my friends, includiing fellow scubaboarders, I am very much "alive and kicking".
So firstly, may I thank all of you for your good wishes and for the cards (and the bear!). They werre greatly appreciated.
I believe everyone should be able to learn from one's mistakes, mine (if there was one) was to dive with a relative novice.
What happened?
Trip to try out my new Dive-Rite Explorer wing in controlled conditions before using it at sea and to practice "drills". My budddy was using a new undersuit and wanted to sort out his buoyancy. I was using EAN 34% to max of 30 M first dive(ppO2 1.36 bar), 20 M second dive (ppO2 1.02 bar). Buddy using air.
First dive superb. The wing and Portland engineering steel backplate are a treat, much better than the buddy Trident I had previously used. Immediately happy and comfortable with it. Stayed at the 6 m mark for first 10 minutes until we were both comfortable then made our way the the wreck of the stanegarth. I practiced shut downs and changing mask in midwater.
Hour and a half surface interval, tea and burger.
Second dive with 7 litre sideslung pony, similar start to dive, visited various submerged items of interest such as the Nautilus and bus.
As planned at 15 M on ascent I practiced a controlled buoyant ascent which I am told was going very well untill we reached about 10 M when I simply lost conciousness, fell back and started to convulse. As I was originally controlling the lift using my buddy's wing, he was more buoyant than I. I gather he ascended several feet before he came down to get me but could not inflate my wing or dry suit. (?) So he surfaced to call for help.
I was brought to the surface, deeply unconcious after at least 10 minutes on the bottom at 20 M by which time I had become extremely oedematous. I understand it took the rescuers several attempts to get me on the rescue boat, the efforts for which caused a lot a bruising.
In coma for 3 weeks, dialysis for acute tubular necrosis (renal failure) during which time I was not allowed to drink anyrting. I was also ventilated for acute lung injury. The one thing I will NEVER forget is when they weaned my off the ventilator. It felt like my lungs had been taken out, put through a wringer and glued into my chest inside-out. It was PAINFUL. It was almost torture and I could not sleep for the following two nights due to the induced "air hunger" and the constant noise from the tubing. I was extremely relieved when the tracheostomy tube was eventually removed and I got my voice back.
In addition I ached all over and was so weak I could not even hold a fork to feed myself!
Now on the mend, with no serious damage. My renal function is almost normal (creatinine 180) I am up and about but I have very little stamina as yet.
How could I have survived with no brain damage? It is a genuine miracle.
- Cold water - 2 degrees C
- Immediate and continuing CPR with 100% oxygen
- Use of high Nitrox mix - marginally increased O2 reserves
- Your prayers
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My life and my medical career nearly came to a premature end. My diving career is certainly over because I just cannot explain what happened so it could happen to me again. (I most certainly would not wish to put my wife, Angela, through that anguish again.)
I hope my posting the details is of use. The one thing that concerns me is that diver rescue is not obligatory in basic PADI training as it is for BSAC.
Welcome back.It is soooo great to hear your doing good.It is wonderful to hear from you and know your doing alright after your dive accident.We all had you in our prayers everyday to recover.Thanks for posting an update im sure everyone will be ecstatic to see your thread
