Light-headed on Nitrox

[Seawitch2]

Hello,

I doved Nitrox for the first time this past weekend. On my first dive, I felt very light-headed and experienced a bit of vertigo as I was descending. This happened at 40 ft. I stoped and waited hoping that it would go away. When the feeling did not disappeared, I signaled my buddy that I was not OK and that I was ascending. I went to 25-30 ft. For those familiar with Blue Grotto in FL, there is a air bell there. I dove to the bell, remove my regulator and breathed the air from the bell. This helped, as the syntomps disappeared. I was OK the rest of the day. We went down to 88ft with no problem.

Is this reaction to Nitrox normal? I am assuming it was the Nitrox, since I never experienced this before. Has anyone experienced this while diving mix? I am curious/concerned because I intend to dive Nitrox often (hopefully).

Thanks in advance for your comments.

Seawitch2

 

[rmediver2002]

What was your mix?


Have you considerd the possibility of alternobaric (pressure difference in the middle ear) or caloric (temperature difference) vertigo?



It is so nice to read stories from divers smart enough to realize when something is not quite right and especially so when they are smart and confident enough to abort the dive instead of pushing on.

Great example Seawitch2!!

Jeff Lane

 

[Boogie711]

I think Rme Diver has it - it doesn't sound like a reaction to Nitrox. Probably just a coincidence. I'm not a Dr, I don't play one on TV, and I only stay in a Holiday Inn on occasion, but it sounds like something with your inner ear.

And I don't know the site, but I'd be awfully careful breathing other diver's exhaust bubbles in an air bell.

 

[Seawitch2]

What was your mix?


Have you considerd the possibility of alternobaric (pressure difference in the middle ear) or caloric (temperature difference) vertigo?



It is so nice to read stories from divers smart enough to realize when something is not quite right and especially so when they are smart and confident enough to abort the dive instead of pushing on.

Great example Seawitch2!!

Jeff Lane

rmediver2002,

I was diving EAN32.

I had not considered alternobaric or caloric vertigo. Good point. I did not mentionthat I was having problems equilizing my right ear. I did not consider it relevant but that now you brought up these possibilities, you may have something there.

BTW, thanks for the compliments,

 

[Seawitch2]

Boogie711,

I agree with you. I think rmedvier2002 is right on the money on this one. I had not considered (maybe I was in denial, lol) that it could be my ear. Sounds like I have a different set of problems here, hmmm.

The air bell at Blue Grotto is fed with air from the outside, which minimizes the accumulation of CO2. But thanks for the concern. I appreciate it.

Seawitch2

 

[Wendy]

If that isn't it, did you smell your air? Did you get your fill from a place you have used before, maybe you just got some bad air.

 

[Snowbear]

You thought you had a problem with your breathing gas - you ascended to the bell - breathed whatever was in that - felt better - and continued your dive to 88'?

 

[H2Andy]

i have done tons of nitrox dives and have never had this problem. also, i am not
aware of any literature linking dizziness with nitrox use (but i could be wrong about this one).

i don't think it's the nitrox at all. sounds like rmediver and boogie have it right.

 

[rmediver2002]

Depends on the mix...

I know there are some out there who practice pp blending and rely on the math instead of testing the % of mix... Not common to much anymore but still done.

(would have to be a gross error on someones part to produce symptoms at 40 FFW but...)

That is the reason I asked about the mix.

http://www.scuba-doc.com/o2tox.htm

 

[H2Andy]

well... yeah... but for this to be a symptom of oxygen toxicity at 40 feet the mix would have to be pretty high (too lazy to calculate it).

but you're right... never assume anything