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A few weeks ago I went diving off NC with a group of friends. We did a dive on the Schurz, which has a max depth of around 115'. I showed a minimum water temp of around 62F, though I think my computer reads a bit low and it was actually mid 60s. Currents were mild, viz 30-40', and topside conditions were typical or even mild for offshore NC, maybe 2-4' waves but a longish period.
Within an hour of the dive, one of my friends became severely nauseated after trying to read something below deck. We all thought he was seasick, as did he. Everyone else made their second dive but he spent the rest of the trip huddled by the lifeline with the dry heaves.
After returning to shore, he could barely walk due to dizziness and was still severely nauseated. This persisted for several hours, and so a call was made to DAN. They recommended a visit to the local ER, and he was subsequently transported via ambulance to Duke, where he took two chamber rides. He was diagnosed with an inner ear hit, resulted in permanent damage to one ear. After treatment we was much improved but was still little wobbly on his feet. He can't dive for a while, of course, and then only after medical clearance and very conservatively.
This diver and his buddy are very experienced and did not violate recreational limits, though I don't the know the exact profile. There was some yo-yoing due to waves on the hang bar which perhaps resulted in a shortened safety stop and possible rapid ascent for the last few feet.
What did I learn from this experience?
1) It might not always be seasickness. If someone who is rarely seasick gets this seasick, would it hurt to put them on O2? Unfortunately it didn't occur to us, DMs and instructors and boat captains included.
2) Thank goodness for DAN. I shudder to think what this all would be costing my friend without their insurance, and advice for that matter. Call them sooner rather later if possible.
3) I don't want to take a middle-of-the-night ambulance ride from Morehead City to Durham via ambulance when I'm nauseated and dizzy, or so I'm told anyway.
Within an hour of the dive, one of my friends became severely nauseated after trying to read something below deck. We all thought he was seasick, as did he. Everyone else made their second dive but he spent the rest of the trip huddled by the lifeline with the dry heaves.
After returning to shore, he could barely walk due to dizziness and was still severely nauseated. This persisted for several hours, and so a call was made to DAN. They recommended a visit to the local ER, and he was subsequently transported via ambulance to Duke, where he took two chamber rides. He was diagnosed with an inner ear hit, resulted in permanent damage to one ear. After treatment we was much improved but was still little wobbly on his feet. He can't dive for a while, of course, and then only after medical clearance and very conservatively.
This diver and his buddy are very experienced and did not violate recreational limits, though I don't the know the exact profile. There was some yo-yoing due to waves on the hang bar which perhaps resulted in a shortened safety stop and possible rapid ascent for the last few feet.
What did I learn from this experience?
1) It might not always be seasickness. If someone who is rarely seasick gets this seasick, would it hurt to put them on O2? Unfortunately it didn't occur to us, DMs and instructors and boat captains included.
2) Thank goodness for DAN. I shudder to think what this all would be costing my friend without their insurance, and advice for that matter. Call them sooner rather later if possible.
3) I don't want to take a middle-of-the-night ambulance ride from Morehead City to Durham via ambulance when I'm nauseated and dizzy, or so I'm told anyway.