Bent in Fantasy Island Resort Roatan

[Sirto]

A follow up consultation with DAN today would be a very good idea, I think. There are long term risks. I hope she's beyond them, tho'.

Nitrox would be a wonderful idea for her. Yes indeed!

Like Sue, I'd like to know more about the cause? As a new, vacation diver, you may not know, and you probably don't wear computers, but - learning more and wearing comptuers thqat you well understand would be a good idea! $300 each, or risk another hit? :11:

.

Actually we were both wearing computers and both of them showed we were ok. Her's showed that she had just gone out of the green into the low end of yellow.

The three dives that day were to 80 feet max but only for about 15 minutes each then the bulk of the time around 50 feet an additional 25 - 30 minutes .

 

[texinutila]

OK, just did a check. It sounds like your wife received a table 5, which is a 2 1/2 hour treatment. This table is primarily used for technical divers who miss a decompression stop but are asymptomatic, or as a washout follow up treatment from a successful table 6. Maybe no big deal, but generally symptomatic patients receive a table 6 at least.
You might get some better feedback by posting on the accident branch of this forum.
tex

 

[DandyDon]

Actually we were both wearing computers and both of them showed we were ok. Her's showed that she had just gone out of the green into the low end of yellow.

OK - good tools to wear. Work best when fully understood and utilized for safe margins.

That is, you didn't say what brand, but if Pelegic/Oceanic or Aires, the Yellow is not an "ok" or Safe Zone; it's a Caution zone. I use these, and always try my best, gas allowing, to exit in the Green, as well as stay well hydrated on sport drink.

In hopes of helping y'all learn from a bad experience, would you know how well hydrated she was? Diuretics like coffee, tea, and soft drinks (most contain caffiene) are part of the problem, as is "empty" reverese osmosis water, as found in most bottled waters. Too often divers try to stay hydrated on bottled water, but don't get the electrolytes they need so badly. I work at drinking sport drinks before I get thirsty, 2 quarts a day if I didn't party the night before, 3 if I did.

I hope your wife doesn't lose interest in diving over this awful experience, but choses to learn from it. Nitrox training would enable you to use Nx to increase safety. Much less N2 loading for a little more money.

To: Texinutila

I have asked a Mod to move this to Accidents, but the one I work with may not be available today?

 

[lragsac]

In hopes of helping y'all learn from a bad experience, would you know how well hydrated she was? Diuretics like coffee, tea, and soft drinks (most contain caffiene) are part of the problem, as is "empty" reverese osmosis water, as found in most bottled waters. Too often divers try to stay hydrated on bottled water, but don't get the electrolytes they need so badly. I work at drinking sport drinks before I get thirsty, 2 quarts a day if I didn't party the night before, 3 if I did.

What is the problem with "empty" reverse osmosis water? I was not aware that this was a problem.

 

[DandyDon]

What is the problem with "empty" reverse osmosis water? I was not aware that this was a problem.

Well, I am not qualified to answer that well, but your body needs the "impurities" of the ground water our ancestors drank, including sodium and potasium. Follow your low sodium diet back home, but drink sport drinks with sodium and potasium when diving.

I make Kool-Air with a 1/2 teaspoon of Morton Lite-Sale (NaCl and postasium chloride) added to 2 quarts.

But keep in mind, always, that I'm just an amateur diver who talks a lot. Consult better sources for any of my ideas. :shades:

 

[Corigan]

Not being a super expert on the subject but I have super soft water and have some experience with water maintence as I am a planted aquarium hobbyist, I will try to take a stab at explaining what I know. When water goes under the RO process it strips almost all of the water's minerals leaving it at a less than one Degree (DKH) of GH (General Hardness) and KH (Carbonate Hardness). This basically has very little nutrients in it. In the planted aquarium hobby my tap water is equivalant to RO water (less than one DKH GH/KH). I have to buffer up the water with baking soda (sodium bicarbonate). It raises the KH of the water, as well as PH, which is ofset in the aqariums by co2 injection. I also have to use a mix of potassium, magnesium sulfate, and Calcium Bicarbonate. This makes the GH of the water raise (mineral content). This adds back in the minerals that the RO process or soft water has.

I assume what DandyDon was referring to in bottled water is that it is usually extremely soft and lacks almost all mineral content. I have noticed this on certain brands, while other brands taste high in mineral content . Deer park seems to be, but I haven't really done any water tests on it, might be something to do tommarrow for kicks. Sports drinks are definately a good idea to replenish minerals as well as energy/staying hydrated.

Matt

 

[DandyDon]

Wow Corigan/Matt-?!

"Empty" ReverseOss water is lacking important minerals, true. Not all bottle water is RevOss, though. The bottle water we enjoyed onboard a Brockville ONT operator's boat had sodium & postassium as stated in the nutrition label.

It's common is Latin Aerican countries to drink bottled water that is nothing but RevOss, though. Check the label. If it comes in a sealed p, plastic bag - assume it to be RevOss. For best results, carry your own Sport drink. :fish:

 

[Gaz]

Spot on DON

good advice and definately when in belize supplement with sports drinks as our bottled water is RO and nothin in it

Gaz Cooper
www.DiveBelize.com

 

[Sirto]

What is the problem with "empty" reverse osmosis water? I was not aware that this was a problem.

I called DAN and asked about RO water vs sports drinks and was told that there is no problem in hydrating with RO water. You are only losing electrolytes if you are sweating a lot such as while excercising (SP?) and that's where sports drink help.

They also felt that the chamber treatments Carolyn received were appropriate.

Ed

 

[Doc]

I called DAN and asked about RO water vs sports drinks and was told that there is no problem in hydrating with RO water. You are only losing electrolytes if you are sweating a lot such as while excercising (SP?) and that's where sports drink help.

That's a DAN kind of statement, half right and....

If someone tells you that you are not sweating while underwater, they have not clue #1. Your body is constantly perspiring with the inetrnal exertion and heat that you are generating. You might not notice it, but slip into a drysuit and you will. In that most dive vacations discussed here involve substantial surface interval sweating, you do the math.

I have actualy overheated in shallow water dives where the ambient water temp hit 92 degrees (the "Front Yard" at CoCoView)

Balderdash...

As far as the electrolyte and RO water concept- I would imagine that this would become an issue over a protracted duration (weeks, months) , otherwise simple over hydration will do the trick- with lots of water sloshing around inside, your body will pry loose what it needs from your internal storage areas. If you don't have to pee while diving, you aren't drinking enough.

If you're thirsty- you're already dehydrated. Coffee, soda, and alcohol don't count.