DCS DVD -- Two thumbs up!

[TSandM]

I'm about halfway through GUE's new DVD: "The Mysterious Malady -- Decompression Illness." I'm finding it a fascinating program. Although I've done enough reading so that almost nothing is completely new, it is very interesting to hear prominent researchers in the area talking about how much is not definitively known, and how much has not been studied. The people who were interviewed are articulate and interesting -- I'd love to have an opportunity to hear David Doolette speak (which he is doing at the GUE conference this fall which I won't be able to attend, darn it).

I think that, for anybody with an active curiosity and a little bit of familiarity with the ideas of decompression, this is close to a must-see.

 

[SparticleBrane]

I was thinking of checking it out. Now that I have the official TSandM approval I just might.

 

[TSandM]

Finished the DVD this morning, and I would say even more strongly than I did at first that this is an excellent educational program and well worth the price. There is nothing entirely new or surprising in it (except for a couple of things about helium and Type II DCS), but it is an excellent discussion of the limits and shortcomings of our current system of managing decompression, from the very people who know the most about it. It is in keeping with many of the discussions about such topics which are available here on SB (but if I may, quite a bit better organized )

Don't let the fact that GUE put this together put you off watching it. The material is non-denominational.

 

[kidspot]

How long is the entire DVD? Also, since these are research/medical professionals being interviewed, were they able to keep the discussions at a level us laymen can comprehend?

 

[SparticleBrane]

I'll post what true said over on thedecostop about the level of discussion...

I tried to crank up the production values, but make no mistake-- Mysterious Malady consists of a bunch of very smart researchers talking at length about some very complicated subjects. There is so much information to be gleaned from these guys, and I cut it so that they were able to give detailed and nuanced replies. If it takes Dr. Piantidosi ten minutes to explain the basics of ox tox, that's what he gets on the disc. It's broken up into segments that allow you to proceed through the topics at a comfortable pace; you'd probably need to really enjoy geeking out on diving physiology to sit through the entire DVD at once, but there's plenty to take in at a half hour at at time.

Hope that helps, kidspot!

 

[kidspot]

thanks ... IOW - if I take it in small bites and think it through I might be able to keep up

I would enjoy watching it though.

 

[TSandM]

There's very little technical jargon. I think the people interviewed did a very nice job of keeping it accessible to the educated layman.

I don't know how long the whole thing is, but the individual segments are anywhere from 5 to 20 or so minutes, and they are quite self-contained. You could watch one or two a day and not lose continuity.

 

[*Floater*]

I just finished watching the DVD, and I may have to watch it again to absorb more from it but here are my initial feelings:

1. Overall the DVD is a very good supplement to anyone's understanding to DCS and narcosis - but I would not give it an excellent rating because there was a lot that was not covered or not covered clearly enough. One theme of the DVD seemed to be that there is a ton we do not know about DCS and a lot of our understanding is based on unproven assumptions.

2. I found there was a fair bit of technical jargon in there (electrical decompensation of the brain, calcium triggers, etc.) and especially the part about the oxygen window was fairly technical.

3. I would have preferred more input from experienced divers, such as George Irvine, explaining what they've found in the field, and perhaps an explanation of how they do their deco. Tips and tricks. How they modify schedules generated by the computers and so forth.

4. There's couple of topics I wished had been covered or covered more in depth such as the role of vasoconstriction of the lungs on deco, exercise and deco, impact of age and fitness on DCS, helium vs. nitrogen on on- and off-gassing, helium and nitrogen interplay, other gasses, etc. - I'm sure others have their own topics in mind.

5. I would also have liked to see Bruce Wienke featured on the DVD. I would be interested in what he has to say. I'm sure others could suggest other experts.

6. I would have liked more discussion about some landmark DCS and narcosis studies. Maybe just a voice over to summarize some important findings in deco research presented at opportune moments.

7. I would also like an audio version of this DVD, to play in the car for example, with just voice overs to introduce the topics and speakers. A transcript would be welcome as well.

Okay, these are just my initial reactions. I may change my mind after I watch it for a second time. I think it helps to have some background understanding of DCS before seeing this DVD, otherwise it may come across as a little too abstract, though I'd be curious to hear what some brand new OW divers think of it.

 

[limeyx]

I just finished watching the DVD, and I may have to watch it again to absorb more from it but here are my initial feelings:

1. Overall the DVD is a very good supplement to anyone's understanding to DCS and narcosis - but I would not give it an excellent rating because there was a lot that was not covered or not covered clearly enough. One theme of the DVD seemed to be that there is a ton we do not know about DCS and a lot of our understanding is based on unproven assumptions.


3. I would have preferred more input from experienced divers, such as George Irvine, explaining what they've found in the field, and perhaps an explanation of how they do their deco. Tips and tricks. How they modify schedules generated by the computers and so forth.
...

My copy is still waiting to be watched, but
(1) I think they are probably right -- there is so much unknown, which might scare a lot of people who rely on tables/computers to be the "bible" and not get them bent, but reality is reality

on point (3) there's a ton of stuff on the web about George's deco.
And I dont think GUE is going to start telling people how they modify deco tables outside of a class situation where they can make sure each diver gets that info in context, and has the skills necessary to safely implement the deco.

 

[*Floater*]

My copy is still waiting to be watched, but
(1) I think they are probably right -- there is so much unknown, which might scare a lot of people who rely on tables/computers to be the "bible" and not get them bent, but reality is reality

on point (3) there's a ton of stuff on the web about George's deco.
And I dont think GUE is going to start telling people how they modify deco tables outside of a class situation where they can make sure each diver gets that info in context, and has the skills necessary to safely implement the deco.

Since a lot of what WKPP does with respect to deco is already in open domain, I do not see why it could not be mentioned in the DVD just to make things a little more concrete for people not familiar with these concepts. For example, they discuss deep stops and whether their are helpful, one guy even talks about wanting to run some studies to see if they work, but I don't recall if they explained what a deep stop was, how they are done and what the basic logic is behind them. I think some historical context about Pyle stops, or about GI3's 80% of ATA suggestion for starting deep stops might have been helpful to give new divers, who may never have heard of deep stops, some context for the discussion and something to try out. Same with the oxygen window. But then again, I think the DVD is aimed at tech divers who are already familair the basics already - I would not recommend it for new divers.