Leejnd
Contributor
To answer your second question- The chamber in and of itself would not be of benefit. However, in the case of the Catalina chamber, the rescue teams and the on site medical staff are all very well versed in diver trauma. If I had a problem, that's where I would want to go, and chance are I would get there quickly and be being worked on en route. So the chamber would not help, but the staff and available equipment sure could.
Exactly. I have participated in "Chamber Day" twice now, and will probably do it again, and I never cease to be impressed with the facilities, the staff, and just the overall committment to superior diver care and treatment. I feel fortunate to live in a place where there IS such a committment...and I have thought to myself before, well if something DID happen to me, I have a better chance than most that I will be okay because I have access to the best resources. (And of course I have DAN. )
But I wanted to mention that the reason I posted what I posted, was because I actually have heard divers talking about pushing NDL limits and saying things like "Hey, if I take a hit, I'll just go take a ride in the chamber." That is foolhardy and, well, nuts. I know I don't need to belabor this (although I guess I kinda am), but if my comments stop ONE person who might otherwise push their limits because, hey, the chamber is right around the corner, then my post was of value.