DCS recovery and next steps advice

[diverdoug1]

My neurologist (as well as the veritable library of hyperbaric text books and literature I have collected over 30 years of practice) indicate that the chance for significant improvements of neurological deficits after DCS are pretty low after 12 months. Also, my spine and head MRI studies have never shown any abnormalities despite significant deficits.

 

[diverdoug1]

Lack of MRI findings is not uncommon, even in patients presenting with severe type 2 DCS. Returning to recreational diving, prior to resolution of neurologic deficits that are suspected of being resultant of DCS, is possibly ill-advised. I have personal experience with a similar situation. My entire life revolved around diving until I got a type 2 DCS hit that resulted in some permanent neurologic issues. I want to return to diving, but all of the hyperbaric specialists I have consulted (and I am also a MD studying Hyperbarics) have firmly agreed that I am not a candidate to return to diving unless my neurologic symptoms fully resolve. Please consider getting examined by a physician trained in Hyperbaric Medicine.

 

[FiliposZ]

I don‘t want to derail the thread but as a relatively inexperienced recreational diver myself (35 dives so far) I am wondering what could have potentially caused DCS after what seems to be relativ normal dives without (or so I assume) violation of NDLs?

Is this a common occurence and what are some potential risk factors? So far I have always assumed that staying within NDLs, controlling ascent speed and doing a safety stop will almost ensure that I will be save from DCS.

 

[Sascha314]

How are you doing today? Anythin new after your apppointment in december?

I would also be interested in the dive profil, so ascent rate and stay at depth.
Contributing factors may be dehydration, alcohol consume(?) and the high breathing rate, assuming you had at least an AL80

 

[Edward3c]

I don‘t want to derail the thread but as a relatively inexperienced recreational diver myself (35 dives so far) I am wondering what could have potentially caused DCS after what seems to be relativ normal dives without (or so I assume) violation of NDLs?

Is this a common occurence and what are some potential risk factors? So far I have always assumed that staying within NDLs, controlling ascent speed and doing a safety stop will almost ensure that I will be save from DCS.

Dive computers and tables are best guesses. There is no guarantee that staying within the no stop times of either means you can’t get a hit. However, they do work most of the time.

 

[Fat old english bloke]

Bit late to the party, but Dr Firth of HyperDive signed me off earlier this year and oversaw my treatment at Whipps Cross back in 2020. Would wholeheartedly recommend him.

 

[Duke Dive Medicine]

I don‘t want to derail the thread but as a relatively inexperienced recreational diver myself (35 dives so far) I am wondering what could have potentially caused DCS after what seems to be relativ normal dives without (or so I assume) violation of NDLs?

Is this a common occurence and what are some potential risk factors? So far I have always assumed that staying within NDLs, controlling ascent speed and doing a safety stop will almost ensure that I will be save from DCS.

Decompression sickness is rare. You will probably go your entire diving life and not experience it or even see a case of it. Risk increases with dive depth, bottom time, repetitive dives especially over multiple days, cold temperature during decompression, and heavy exertion at depth. It's been put forth that dehydration is also a risk factor; the evidence for that is mixed. It is a sports injury, and as with any sports injury, recognition of risk factors and symptoms is beneficial for divers, as is knowledge of basic first aid for it.

Best regards,
DDM