Decompression

[1mike1]

Ok, I fully aknowledge that I understand that this forum or responses is fo "general discussion and educational purposes only. Information provided by members, moderators and/or health professionals is in no way intended to serve as actual individual medical advice, diagnoses, or to provide treatment plans." - Liability seems to be causing me to get a lot of blank answers; ok, here we go:

I'm fairly new to diving and I want to know whether or not I'm in trouble.

On Wednesday of last week me and my friends did a 60' and 80' dive (yes, in that order ) and may have overshot the tables by about 10 minutes of nitrogen time. We were expecting the rentals to have computers, which they didn't so we aren't sure of our ascent speed either (although Im pretty sure we were slow enough).

Immediately following we all admitted to slight headaches that we attributed to little water, out in the sun, lugging gear and a fair amount of caffine. We started to worry when we got home and started to have a few other slight symptoms. I was overall fine as far as I could tell, but my friend complained of slight back pain and elbow pain. We called DAN, woke up a nice man who told us we should go in and sit in a decompression chamber and said he couldn't really say anything else and we might as well go. We went to the hospital and they told us it was a 4 hour wait to see and doctor and we had things to do....so we didn't. Called back DAN and said would anything really change if we gave it a night and he said no...

Yesterday my friend was still worried based on his elbow and went into the chamber for 3 hours. He says he is all better now. I had a few small trailing headaches over the past few days and a few other small pains. The question truly is is should I go in anyway and sit in the chamber? We didn't spend much time at all at 80 feet and I'm pretty sure everything is gone or waining that was caused by the dive. Does decompression go away completely with time? Do those nitrogen bubbles bubble away or if there is a slight problem that could be taken care of with the chamber be a permanent condition if I don't go?

Thanks a million!!!!

Mike Karp

 

[Tobagoman]

Why take a chance with your health and your life, if you believe you have symptoms of a DCS hit, get treated immediately. It doesn't sound like you took a hit, you were lucky. Most likely if you haven't had any major symptoms after a few days you will probably be alright, but if you have any indications that you may have taken a hit, go to a chamber, chronic damage to your body can occur from DCS.
You said the rental gear didn't have computers, you don't need computers as long as you have a timing device (watch) and dive tables (which you should always have and use even if diving a computer. You dived a reverse profile (shallow then deep) and may have blown away your NDL's (were you using tables and a timer?). It also sounds like you were not properly hydrated along with alot of caffiene which can exasperate dehydration, all of which can make you more susceptable to a DCS hit.
You can check your rate of accent by not going faster then your slowest smallest bubbles or preferably by watching your depth guage as you ascend and not going faster than 1'/second.
It sounds like you made many mistakes on these dives and came out very lucky.

Disclaimer: I am not a physician, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

Don't take this wrong, but:

You were underhydrated
You did a reverse profile (not a cardnial sin, but not a favorded practice)
You think you blew off the NDL's but are not sure by how much
You had potential symptoms of DCS
You called DAN and apparently had DAN insurance but blew off the advice from Dan to go see a Dr. and take a chamber ride as you had better things to do than wait to see the Dr.

You need to go see a hyperbaric doctor and you need to actually listen to what he says.

Whether you are/were in fact bent or not is a separate question from whether "you are in trouble". With your attitude and lack of attention to detail you are most definitely in trouble as you are literally a dive accident looking for a place to happen. You either need to get real serious about following the rules in this sport or you need to sell your gear and never go near the water again.

 

[babar]

Don't take this wrong, but:

You were underhydrated
You did a reverse profile (not a cardnial sin, but not a favorded practice)
You think you blew off the NDL's but are not sure by how much
You had potential symptoms of DCS
You called DAN and apparently had DAN insurance but blew off the advice from Dan to go see a Dr. and take a chamber ride as you had better things to do than wait to see the Dr.

You need to go see a hyperbaric doctor and you need to actually listen to what he says.

Whether you are/were in fact bent or not is a separate question from whether "you are in trouble". With your attitude and lack of attention to detail you are most definitely in trouble as you are literally a dive accident looking for a place to happen. You either need to get real serious about following the rules in this sport or you need to sell your gear and never go near the water again.

Based on the symptoms and profile you very well may have had a 'hit', you probobly did. That being said, at this point you are at least 24 hours out from the acute event. There are some doctors who would treat you, and some that would not. Are you COMPLETELY better now? That would probobly be one the key determinates. Whether you see a diving physician or not, The current recommendations by the US Navy, and by DAN would be to wait at least 2 weeks until 'complete resolution of symptoms' to continue diving. That's in the case of Type 1, or 'pain-only' decompression sickness.
All that being said, the advice of DA Aquamaster is sound, this is not something to play with. Plan your dive, Dive your plan.

Babar

 

[Tobagoman]

Based on the symptoms and profile you very well may have had a 'hit', you probobly did. That being said, at this point you are at least 24 hours out from the acute event. There are some doctors who would treat you, and some that would not. Are you COMPLETELY better now? That would probobly be one the key determinates. Whether you see a diving physician or not, The current recommendations by the US Navy, and by DAN would be to wait at least 2 weeks until 'complete resolution of symptoms' to continue diving. That's in the case of Type 1, or 'pain-only' decompression sickness.
All that being said, the advice of DA Aquamaster is sound, this is not something to play with. Plan your dive, Dive your plan.

Babar

I don't agree that his symptoms describe a hit. Having a slight headache after a dive is not a conclusive symptom of DCS. His buddies symptoms more clearly point in that direction though.
He definetly needs to re-evaluate whether he wants to continue diving with the skills and judgement (or lack threreof) he has demonstrated.

 

[Table6A]

Deleted by Table6A

 

[Table6A]

Deleted by Table6A

 

[simbrooks]

It appears Mike has not been back on the board since 12/23/04 after reading this advice - whilst sound and what he should have heard, was possibly a bit too harsh in delivery. Even so, my understanding is that hyperbaric treatments are not just for bubbles, but for assisting in the repair of damage caused by these bubbles at the time. I would hope that Mike and others take their diving seriously, this stuff can kill you taken to extremes and without care.

Kip - havent seen you around before, but welcome aboard, i am sure your medical knowledge in this field will help greatly in some discussions!

 

[BigJetDriver]

Even so, my understanding is that hyperbaric treatments are not just for bubbles, but for assisting in the repair of damage caused by these bubbles at the time.

Sim,

You are quite correct in your understanding. It is easier, as I am sure you know, to keep the damage down to a dull roar if treatment is begun as soon as possible. Diver "denial" continues to be an active problem.

Kip,

Glad to have another DMT on board. Your professional level input is greatly appreciated.

Rob Davie

 

[Table6A]

"Kip - havent seen you around before, but welcome aboard, i am sure your medical knowledge in this field will help greatly in some discussions!"

In some, but no more than that. My opinion is just that, my opinion. I am enjoying talking with everyone and hope to continue to do so...and to all who e-mailed me to say welcome aboard, THANK YOU.