Do you know.........?

[Kim]

Fitness for diving is very important and we all have to fill out health forms etc to do it. I wonder though how many people actually ever see a specialist doctor in diving medicine, or even know one.
Occasionally, even with the best precautions one can still get a DCS hit. If that happens and you need a chamber - do you know where the closest one is? Do you know how long it would take you to get there?

 

[Rick Inman]

Occasionally, even with the best precautions one can still get a DCS hit.

What???

No way. Can't happen.

From the time I called DAN. It was 40 mins to the exam at the chamber room.

 

[TSandM]

From where I dive, it is 15 to 30 minutes to the nearest chamber (assuming we're operating outside of rush hour -- otherwise, it's 45 minutes to an hour and a half )

I don't know a specific doctor, but I would know exactly where to call.

 

[piikki]

I got lucky - first visit to primary care doc after taking up diving, and I found out he dives (used to at least). Not a specialist but knowledgeable on divers' issues which is great. I know where closest chambers are but I haven't found out where closest real specialist would be because I think I'd go through my trusted GP - except in emergencencies when it's going to be via DAN and 911 I guess...

 

[JohnL]

Can't say that I know a specific doctor, but the closest chambers are 20, 25, or 60 minutes away. The closest one is mainly used for oxygen therapy for treating infections, the next closest requires entry through a neighboring hospitals ED (call ahead !!), and the furthest is on located on a ship which may not be there at all times.

Definitely worth calling ahead to DAN or the ED on the second chamber to find out what's available.

 

[jeckyll]

I'm about 30 min - 1 hour from a chamber where I dive... of course I'm hoping never to spend any time in it and will try d*mn hard to plan my dives so that I don't

Bjorn

 

[Greg D.]

I heard that i you eat oysters before diving you will off gas better and not have to worry about DCS, with that kind of info who needs a chamber

 

[Blitz]

If I dive my local site.... Its 15 minutes to a chamber without traffic.....Otherwise I should just wait for the Elliot Bay water taxi.

 

[String]

In this country the closest chamber is where the coastguard and/or air force decide to take you

They'll take you there, treat you for free but sadly wont take you home after the event!

If its an inland incident or one after diving has finished theres a royal navy 24/7 diving medic helpline. You phone that, they tell you where to go and make arrangements with hospital and/or chamber.

 

[Rick Inman]

I heard that i you eat oysters before diving you will off gas better and not have to worry about DCS, with that kind of info who needs a chamber

:no