Lightheaded While Diving

[FloridaMan1974]

The dives today went well; both shallow (max depth 60 foot).

No sensations like I described previously. I focused on moving my head slowly.

I experienced a minor light headed sensation (so little I wouldn't have noticed if I wasn't actively monitoring myself). It occurred when I lifted my head (from looking down to looking up, similar to what I described earlier).

Also looked into neck tightness of the wetsuit, which I thought might have been the culprit, but it was quite loose.

 

[Kevrumbo]

If the episodes get worse or become more frequent, then of course get a full medical work up with an ENT specialist. In my case it's "simple" chronic alternobaric vertigo on ascent which clears when both middle ear spaces equalize again at ambient pressure. It still takes a lot of effort on my part not to panic while the whole universe is spinning, trying to re-equalize my ears with ascent, or by valsalva if I have to hold a deco stop at depth.

The most insidious vertigo and difficult to recover from an acute episode seems to be the kind brought about by rapid head movements as described above, and not by pressure changes as in alternobaric vertigo. In this case, I would strongly consider giving up Solo Diving, and always having a thoroughly briefed dive buddy there as a steady mid-water reference "shepherd" within sight or to render aid if necessary.

 

[FloridaMan1974]

Thanks for your help with all of this Kevrumbo.

Any idea what might be causing this?

 

[Kevrumbo]

Thanks for your help with all of this Kevrumbo.

Any idea what might be causing this?

For me, I'm sure it's related to chronic hayfever & seasonal allergies and the general inflammation of my sinuses & upper respiratory tract, as well as side effects of decongestants. . .

 

[Duke Dive Medicine]

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo presents like this, but one would think that it would be present on the surface as well. I'd love to hear DoctorMike's opinion.

 

[BDSC]

In my case it's "simple" chronic alternobaric vertigo on ascent which clears when both middle ear spaces equalize again at ambient pressure.

Had this very thing happen to me last week when I was diving in Roatan.

I noticed right when I was leaving for the trip I started getting a little sniffle on Friday. We arrived on Saturday and did our first dive Sunday morning. By that time I had some full blown congestion in my head. As I headed down I had no problem clearing my right ear but my left ear seemed stopped up. I was able to clear it a little but decided to stay shallow on the dive and not push it.

No obvious problem on the accent. Made it to the surface and was holding on to the ladder. Passed one fin up, passed the second fin up, stepped on the ladder and WHAM, the boat was spinning like a top. I just had to hang on the ladder until it stopped and it took about a minute or more for it to clear. I decided to take the rest of the day off from diving.

The next morning we went out and I had no problem on the first and second dive but I kept things shallow and still had some congestion. Then on the 3rd and final dive of the day it hit me again on the accent at about 20 ft down. I was able to make it to the mooring line and just held on. This time it cleared more quickly but after that I took the entire next day off.

Finally the congestion began to clear and I had no more problems for the week but I can tell you that having that happen while underwater was a real eye opener. No more diving for me when I have a head cold.

 

[FloridaMan1974]

Hey everyone,

Just wanted to update those interested. I have done a ton of diving in the past three weeks, about 40 dives, and paid careful attention to my motion and sensation when doing this.

I believe what I am experiencing is alternobaric vertigo that is made worse/"triggered" when rapidly moving my head.

I experienced the sensation of vertigo twice during the 40 dives and both occurred while ascending out of a wreck.

 

[Duke Dive Medicine]

Thanks for the update! That certainly makes sense, glad you were able to figure this out.

Best regards,
DDM