dizzyness

[Blue Sparkle]

Actually, it sounds to me like he is not describing vertigo, but more the "I'm feeling faint and like I'm going to pass out" variety of "dizziness." I agree the description is not super clear though.

Is it like the sort of thing that can happen on land if you get up from a chair really quickly and things kind of go "staticky" and affect your vision temporarily? (Which on land I think is "orthostatic hypotension".) That sounds like it would have less to do with ears, if I'm reading TSandM correctly.

stevesurf, could you try to use more words to describe it?

 

[stevesurf]

maybe a minuite is too long.maybe 20sec.but comes on strong.head feels heavy.and yes it feels like serious head rush.out of seven dives it my have happened 3 times.still it concernes me.

 

[TSandM]

Steve, at what point in the dive does this occur? On the surface, on descent, during the bottom phase, on ascent, or getting out of the water?

 

[stevesurf]

on bottom phase.and i want to thank everyone for helping.

 

[chrissouthcott]

hi madacup,

Just been reading through this thread, as today i dived ko tao, im on my 25th dive now and the last two dives i have expericened a real sour taste in my mouth to begin with, then dizziness and feeling dis orientated, ( i ascending on the first dive as i felt as if i was going to pass out) i have no problems with my ears/sinus's.
But the symptoms have just started on my last 2 dives.
Is there anything you can think this is? as its really put a downer on my diving.
thanks alot.

 

[bamamedic]

A sour taste in your mouth? Maybe some acid reflux? I get that sometimes when diving...it's kind of unpleasant, but doesn't result in any sort of dizziness or disorientation for me....

*not a doctor; and did not stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night*

 

[Madacub]

hi madacup,

Just been reading through this thread, as today i dived ko tao, im on my 25th dive now and the last two dives i have expericened a real sour taste in my mouth to begin with, then dizziness and feeling dis orientated, ( i ascending on the first dive as i felt as if i was going to pass out) i have no problems with my ears/sinus's.
But the symptoms have just started on my last 2 dives.
Is there anything you can think this is? as its really put a downer on my diving.
thanks alot.

Hi Chris, sorry I don't have any solid assistance on this. The best I can think of is to eliminate the variables one by one. Is it the air quality? If so, you should get the sour taste while gearing up on the boat. Is it the equipment? What about your buddy? Try another dive operation? If all those are negative, it may be you. If so, what did you eat? Drink? Properly hydrated? Medications? Does the dizziness follow immediately after the sour taste? Does the sour taste persist after you resurface?

Hope you sort it out and till then dive with a reallly good buddy who knows this situation. Remember, in many cases, the dizziness will pass. Maybe ask your buddy to let you grasp his arm if this starts. Take care and pay attention to everything.

 

[TSandM]

Vertigo is pretty easy to explain in diving, but lightheadedness is more difficult. It could come from true hyperventilation, where you blow your CO2 down significantly. If it was associated with mucle cramping, this would be more likely. Lightheadedness could definitely come from bad gas, but I think this is unlikely if it occurs on more than one dive and they are temporally disassociated (unless they're your own tanks, and all got filled at the same time, at the same place). Unusual feelings of instability or clouded consciousness can definitely be symptoms of narcosis, especially if this is occurring on deep dives during the bottom phase. Drysuit users with tight neck seals can end up lightheaded due to carotid sinus compression.

If you are older (say, than 45) one has to invoke a more sinister group of causes related to exertion intolerance. Lightheadedness under just about any circumstance that is not easily explained by one of the above causes (and I mean easily) in an older person should be evaluated by a physician.

 

[Bogie]

There are lots of things that can cause dizziness.

Shallow breathing builds up CO2, ear infections, blood pressure, blood sugar, meds etc.

This first thing that I would do is to go to a ENT doctor and get checked out.

It is important to get medically checked out.

 

[chrissouthcott]

thanks alot for replying. can Co2 retention cause dizziness? and by saying co2 retention is this breathing,and not completey letting out your full breathe?

everytime i dive i generally use more air than most people as im 87kg and not a small frame, so i try perserving my air comsumption slightly more (and i dont mean holding my breathe, but really long breathes) do you think this could be causing some dizziness? also out of the 2 dives the 1st dive when i felt dizziness i was on penicillin for an infected cut on my leg. although the 2nd dive i made sure i was off the anti biotics and fully hydrated etc etc.. although im thinking i phycologically went into the dive, worrying slightly.

thanks again..