MykaDives
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So there is really nothing I can do?
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So there is really nothing I can do?
I've discussed this with several people and haven't really had much clarity provided. Maybe you folks have some ideas.
I dive mainly in cold freshwater lakes that vary 38-45F mainly, and the issue becomes apparent when I dive around 80 feet or more, and/or do multiple dives (DM with OW/AOW students over a weekend). The issue is both underwater and on surface. I will feel like my brain is foggy, like I'm just going through the motions, almost like I get really, really tired and want to fall asleep (like when you're watching a movie and kinda falling asleep). I'm not falling asleep, but it's kind of the same feeling, like fogginess/numbness. However, I am still able to perform well. I notice what the students are doing, I can tend to any issues, I can lead a dive with no hitch, I can tie off lines, I can do valve drills, etc. I feel foggy, but I don't perform foggy. The instructors can't tell that anything is "wrong". There was one time when I was tying a line at 87' and I got tunnel vision really suddenly, and really bad (all I could see was the line and my fingers), but as soon as I picked my head up and looked around it went away. Now this all sounds like narcosis, right? Except, I don't feel any clearer when I ascend. This feeling will stick with me on the surface for a few hours after the dive (or after the last dive of the day, whichever is later). I also get this feeling on tropical dive trips (multiple dives, multiple days).
The people I have asked about this generally say something along the lines of, "Ya I kind of feel like that too." Maybe it's normal, and I'm simply hyper-sensitive to the feeling?
Any ideas?
Based on your description that the symptoms begin at pressure on both single dives and repetitive dives, I think that decompression illness can probably be ruled out. What's your air consumption like? My first thought is a combination of narcosis and mild hypercapnia, but tunnel vision can be a symptom of hyperventilation as well.
Best regards,
DDM
Maybe get a medical evaluation to make sure that nothing else is going on... Any ear symptoms? Ear pain, hearing loss, balance issue?
Sorry, not sure what to tell you, but preventing hypercapnea is a good goal in any type of diving. Check out this article by John Chatterton.
I think that since it happens at pressure on both single dives and repetitive dives, decompression illness
Based on your description that the symptoms begin at pressure on both single dives and repetitive dives, I think that decompression illness can probably be ruled out. What's your air consumption like? My first thought is a combination of narcosis and mild hypercapnia, but tunnel vision can be a symptom of hyperventilation as well.
Best regards,
DDM
Any chance you're using a full face mask? The only time I've ever had weird issues I was using an old style mask without the oral/nasal cup. I feel I built up Co2 in the mask. I was very relaxed and crawling around the bottom with just little breaths through my nose. I got kind of buzzy, foggy, sparkles in my vision, not fun.
Other ideas, cardiac workup good? Suit too tight around your neck?
Wait, What? Asthma? Visual Vertigo?
I'd get a medical clearance before doing anything else.
How's your back and neck?
Seem like something it getting pinched or compressed. The pin point vision, did you also feel like you might pass out?No full face mask. Cardiac is fine as far as I know, I'm 37, female, good weight, healthy lifestyle. I've had medical clearance for diving all along since I needed clearance for asthma to do the ciurss, and redo every 2 years.
I hold a class 1 license (semi trucks), and they haven't taken that away because of vertigo.
No known issues.