Diesel fumes

[Dogbowl]

I just wanted to find out a little more about diesel fumes.

Here's what happened. I was diving in Roatan from a cruise. After my second dive, I surfaced and while waiting to get back onto the boat, I smelled strong gasoline, which I now know is probably diesel fumes. It was so strong it nearly knocked me out and I got really sick, like very nauseous. After I got back onto the boat, and the boat was headed back to the dock, the diesel fumes started to dissipate and I felt better.

I felt fine that evening, and did another excursion the day after in Belize. But after Belize, I vomited. The next day, I was scheduled to do two dives in Costa Maya. I got seasick that day on the dive boat, something I'm not prone to, and had to cut my first dive short. I called the dive 10 minutes in. I skipped my second dive. I also cancelled my scheduled dives the day after.

Now, could all of this be because I breathed in diesel fumes in Roatan that first day? I've heard people say that they've had to cancel dives because of diesel fumes, but they were usually the same day.

Also, what causes such strong diesel fumes? Poorly maintained motor?

 

[dumpsterDiver]

That is one of the most important reasons to keep your reg in when you climb aboard. With a mask on you can not smell the exhaust and by the time you taste it... you are gonna be sick

 

[ScubaJill]

I just wanted to find out a little more about diesel fumes.

Here's what happened. I was diving in Roatan from a cruise. After my second dive, I surfaced and while waiting to get back onto the boat, I smelled strong gasoline, which I now know is probably diesel fumes. It was so strong it nearly knocked me out and I got really sick, like very nauseous. After I got back onto the boat, and the boat was headed back to the dock, the diesel fumes started to dissipate and I felt better.

I felt fine that evening, and did another excursion the day after in Belize. But after Belize, I vomited. The next day, I was scheduled to do two dives in Costa Maya. I got seasick that day on the dive boat, something I'm not prone to, and had to cut my first dive short. I called the dive 10 minutes in. I skipped my second dive. I also cancelled my scheduled dives the day after.

Now, could all of this be because I breathed in diesel fumes in Roatan that first day? I've heard people say that they've had to cancel dives because of diesel fumes, but they were usually the same day.

Also, what causes such strong diesel fumes? Poorly maintained motor?

If you only dealt with the diesel fumes on Day 1 and none thereafter, I would say it was something else, such as bad food or water, travel issues, or seasickness. I'm not usually prone to seasickness, but it does happen.

 

[KeithG]

You may have actually experienced contact with diesel fuel in the water?

On a recent dive trip we snorkelled off the dive boat when a pod of dolphins appeared. It was in a narrow channel and there was a strong smell and taste of diesel in the water. It was not caused by our boat since we did not encounter it on other snorkel dips. This was not fumes, it was diesel fuel (and or motor oil).

 

[Dogbowl]

It was possible...

All I know was, I surfaced, the motor was going "put, put, put" and I smelled gasoline/diesel and got sick real fast.

 

[chris kippax]

I am a Diesel mechanic and in 10 years have never been ill from fumes or drinking Diesel/oil/coolant (don't ask). Could of been fuel/oil from the bilge.

 

[bowlofpetunias]

I am extremely sensitive to diesel fumes in particular. I will be the one hanging back to be upwind of the boat and board only when I see they are ready to get underway. I do try really hard to be observant and not delay the boat in any way. Then I wind up moving on the boat to escape the fumes until I splash.

Reg in untill clear of any chance of an uncontrolled submersion is just a reasonable safety precaution.

I also try to watch from below to make sure I don't get caught in a traffic jam boarding the boat. I then surface when I figure I can minimize time hanging around waiting to board. Another option is if they throw out a mermaid line to stay well back on the line. Keep clear of fumes and allow lots of safety in case someone boarding falls back. My reg is definitely in until I am sure I will be be breathing clean air.

 

[Dogbowl]

I am extremely sensitive to diesel fumes in particular. I will be the one hanging back to be upwind of the boat and board only when I see they are ready to get underway. I do try really hard to be observant and not delay the boat in any way. Then I wind up moving on the boat to escape the fumes until I splash.

Reg in untill clear of any chance of an uncontrolled submersion is just a reasonable safety precaution.

I also try to watch from below to make sure I don't get caught in a traffic jam boarding the boat. I then surface when I figure I can minimize time hanging around waiting to board. Another option is if they throw out a mermaid line to stay well back on the line. Keep clear of fumes and allow lots of safety in case someone boarding falls back. My reg is definitely in until I am sure I will be be breathing clean air.

Thanks for the pointers. So when does the fumes occur most often? When the motor's running, but the boat's not moving?

 

[chris kippax]

A well maintained engine should have minimal fumes. If you choose your operators wisely you should encounter a minuscule amount.If you choose to dive off bunky old pangars or operators with questionable maintenance regimes you will exposed to fumes and other hazards. Some boats have exhaust stacks so the fumes are carried away others are at or below the water line so you can get exposure.The strong smell you noted before getting sick was it Diesel or gasoline?

 

[Dogbowl]

A well maintained engine should have minimal fumes. If you choose your operators wisely you should encounter a minuscule amount.If you choose to dive off bunky old pangars or operators with questionable maintenance regimes you will exposed to fumes and other hazards. Some boats have exhaust stacks so the fumes are carried away others are at or below the water line so you can get exposure.The strong smell you noted before getting sick was it Diesel or gasoline?

I see...I don't know how to tell the difference, sorry.

I've smelled it before on other dives, but very faint. This time, it was overwhelming.