Eagle's nest accident report

[Kay Dee]

So in short, simple and clean hose set up and minimal backup equipment.

Thanks. Clean hose set-up / routing should be a given, but the rest sounds like what we used to call 'alpine style'.

 

[BlueTrin]

The incident report says that the victim switched back to Nitrox. If that’s the case, did she fall unconscious because she couldn’t get enough O2 fast enough in her blood?

 

[Kay Dee]

The incident report says that the victim switched back to Nitrox. If that’s the case, did she fall unconscious because she couldn’t get enough O2 fast enough in her blood?

Yes, partly because she ascended and, as I understand the accident, her already very low body oxygen level / PPo2 (from breathing helium?) dropped even further and hence she couldn't raise it quick enough. If she could have stayed at what the MOD for the nitrox was, i.e. a stable - not constantly reducing - pressure, and switched (contrary no doubt to what you mind is telling you, i.e. get the hell outta there) she may, repeat may, have not passed out. Speculation of course, but the lowering of that level further by ascending - of whatever her body oxygen PPo2 level existed when she switched - just exasperated her condition. Or thats my take on it. If I am wrong, no doubt someone will correct me!

 

[Vicko]

How exactly do you get hypoxic from oxygen enriched air?

 

[Kay Dee]

How exactly do you get hypoxic from oxygen enriched air?

Generally you would not, but in this instance, if you are already way low on your bodily oxygen levels, then reducing the ambient pressure even further by ascending, even if breathing nitrox my not be enough to stabalize you / bring you around. That is, the ascent / lowering of the ambient pressure is negating the effect of the nitrox. Hence why I would have (I hope, tried) to stay at the MOD of the nitrox and not ascend till I was somewhat stable. But thats just armchair quarterbacking on my part.

 

[PfcAJ]

Yes, partly because she ascended and, as I understand the accident, her already very low body oxygen level / PPo2 (from breathing helium?) dropped even further and hence she couldn't raise it quick enough. If she could have stayed at what the MOD for the nitrox was, i.e. a stable - not constantly reducing - pressure, and switched (contrary no doubt to what you mind is telling you, i.e. get the hell outta there) she may, repeat may, have survived. Speculation of course, but the lowering of that level further by ascending - of whatever her body oxygen PPo2 level existed when she switched - just exasperated her condition. Or thats my take on it. If I am wrong, no doubt someone will correct me!

She survived.

 

[Kay Dee]

She survived.

Opps, my mistake, I meant to imply that she may not have gone though the trauma she did, that is 'may' not have passed out. So thanks, I'll reword that! A case of my fingers on autopilot getting behind my thoughts.

 

[Bubblesong]

She survived and made a miraculous recovery according to this article. She even planned to dive the same cave again. Does anyone know if she ever did?

UP FROM DEPTHS TO LIVE, TO DIVE

She was moments away from being a victim of Eagle Nest Sink's deadly allure.

www.tampabay.com

 

[BlueTrin]

So are you guys saying that in that case, it’s better to breathe the Nitrox gas for a few mins and move up only after?

 

[Kay Dee]

So are you guys saying that in that case, it’s better to breathe the Nitrox gas for a few mins and move up only after?

No, it is just I that is saying that, not 'you guys'. And IMO, thats an unqualified yes, if, repeat if, one has the mental wherewithall to do that that is, rather than ascend / head for the surface immediatley (as may be the inate reaction).