Me. Male 72 inches, 150-155 lbs age now age 50 (and 148lbs and holding), then age 48. Waist then 31 (now 29). Not muscular, but scrappy. I do run 2 miles in 14:30 and do 70 pushups and sit-up in 2 minutes each. I dive SoCAl and climb up and down the cliff for my beach dives. So I would reckon I am physically fit. I have a history of falling out of airplanes in flight for 8 years for the benefit of the US Army Airborne. This activity is hard on the ankles. Hence I had the unusual pleasure of getting bent in the ankles.
The dives.
Lifetime Dive No 12 Wednesday night (2001)
Depth 110 feet, 19 minutes (SI from previous dive 78 hours)
Dove my computer (Oceanic Data Pro which I now know is liberal and I no longer own) and did not violate the ascent rate from 80 feet on. Rose rapidly form 110 to 80 FSW and then waited until computer indicated nitrogen load was reduced to yellow or green. Stopped at 60, 40 and 20 feet until cleared by computer to ascend.
Symptoms, noticed a vague, weak discomfort (not really a pain) in the ankle on Thursday although I may have really noticed it Wednesday night). I had gotten rolled by a wave on entry and attributed much to this. Friday, vague discomfort is now not so vague, and some tingling in caves is going on. This is not painful but on the class where I comment that I would not want to have that for the rest of my life. Called DAN who doubted it was DCI but encouraged me to see doctor. Did so and took a ride in the chamber. Doctor recommended a 2nd ride the following day. I did not believe I was bent and was leaving town as soon as I got out of hospital, so said I did not intend to return (yeah, I know, in hind site, it was dumb). Doctor did not argue that I should return for more treatment so I did not (say it with me, dumb!).
Lifetime Dive No. 13 Per discussion with doctor at time of initial treatment I stayed dry for 7 days. As discussed, I went diving again the following Thursday 7 days after the first incident.
Depth 47 Feet 17 minutes (with all but a few minutes spent at 20 feet).
Start of dive Group A at end of dive group "C"
Lifetime dive No 14 Same day as dive 13 after a SI of 2 hours Group at beginning of dive "A"
Depth 44 feet, with all but 3 or 4 minutes spent at 10-15 feet. Group at end of dive "N"
That was Thursday. On Saturday, 2 days later I drove from sea level to Hemit CA some 100 miles away and at an altitude 1,400 feet. On arrival I had a pain in the ankles and knees and it was not vague. It was in my face, not rolling on the floor, but defiantly uncomfortable. Undoubtedly I was still bent from the previous week. But that change in altitude triggered a painful reminder that I had not had before. This time the doctor said come back the next day and I did. Did two rides and 30 days of no diving. Result, minor nerve damage leaving a slight tingling feeling in soles of feet. It is all but gone now two years later.
Bottom line, the change in altitude may or may not trigger DCI. But I know for certain the body is aware of the change in elevation and responds to it.
So if driving to elevation following a dive, I would encourage you to take your time packing up, eat dinner and relax before starting home. Dont be in a rush and let a few hours go by before starting up the hill and then dont try to set a land speed record going up the hill either. Give the body time to off gas.
The cause, well for the first part is was termed undeserved DCI or **** happens. For the rest, it was attributed to youre a dumb ***.
I now have 142 dives and no recurrence of DCI.
