My trip in the Cozumel Chamber (very long)

[Rick Inman]

Chuck,
Thank you for helping all of us to stay un-bent!!!!!!! Glad you're going to be diving again.

Christi,
Thanks for proving how brilliant I am by choosing you as my dive opp in May.

I think I know where you are going with that. I think it would be a great discussion.

Yeah, was wondering about that rule. I understand (somewhat) the RBGM stop for 1 min at 50% your deepest depth. But after more than a min (say your max was 120', so the stop is at 60') don't you begin on-gassing? I think I would stick to 1 min at 50% on NDL dives over 60', make ultra slow ascents, and then take forever from 15' to 0'.
Comments??

 

[RTodd]

Chuck,
Thank you for helping all of us to stay un-bent!!!!!!! Glad you're going to be diving again.

Christi,
Thanks for proving how brilliant I am by choosing you as my dive opp in May.




Yeah, was wondering about that rule. I understand (somewhat) the RBGM stop for 1 min at 50% your deepest depth. But after more than a min (say your max was 120', so the stop is at 60') don't you begin on-gassing? I think I would stick to 1 min at 50% on NDL dives over 60', make ultra slow ascents, and then take forever from 15' to 0'.
Comments??

You are basically on the right track. But, people worry way, way too much about insignificant ongassing at "deep" stop depths. I will start a new thread on this when I get some time.

 

[ggunn]

You are basically on the right track. But, people worry way, way too much about insignificant ongassing at "deep" stop depths. I will start a new thread on this when I get some time.

Is it a case where the "slow" tissues are offgassing and the "fast" tissues are ongassing at the same time?

 

[RTodd]

Is it a case where the "slow" tissues are offgassing and the "fast" tissues are ongassing at the same time?

Lets move this part of the discussion here: http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?p=990173#post990173

I don't want to detract from Chuck's analysis.

 

[dilligaf368]

Maybe it would be prudent for divers to carry their own O2 just to be safe. I am going to invest in one. I am recovering after a diving accident, but I was hit by a steel beam, not diving related just in the wrong place and time.
I know that there is an investment of around $750 but, that might be cheap concidering One's life and Charter companies. This may not be the way to go if Air travel is to be concidered. B-----

 

[chuck86]

First of all I want to thank everyone for their thoughts and good wishes . It really means a lot coming from fellow divers that understand.

Secondly I will try to answer the questions that I remember. I was using a new computer that was a Oceanic Versa Pro, I also had my old computer that was a Genisis Resource. All the way through the dive I was comparing them and the were amazingly close to the same all the way.

As for the oxygen on the boat. I do not know for sure if there was oxygen on the boat or not. I do know that it was never offered or never pulled out for that matter. With the sypmtoms that I had and being a retired fireman I know that at the very least oxygen should have been offered if it was available. But remember they were quite sure that it was motion sickness and a touch of food poisioning.

Let me also add that this was my 91rst dive in the last 26 months. All of which have been at Cozumel and 90% of them are boat dives. Motion sickness have never been a problem.

 

[jpomerantz]

Chuck,

Sound like a very scary situation...glad Christi was there to help. My first dive in Coz will be with her at end of April and sounds like a good choice (am looking for a buddy for 4 days of diving too). Your rules are on the mark...I always do 5 at 15 and am amazed at the # of divers who are in a rush to get out of the water. Stay well.

Jay

 

[clockradio]

glad your doing allright chuck. we all might want to consider rule # 4 geo story we can all learn by.

 

[HammerNoMore]

First of all I want to thank everyone for their thoughts and good wishes . It really means a lot coming from fellow divers that understand.

And we want to thank you for sharing with us. Stories such as this serve as a lesson to us all.

Secondly I will try to answer the questions that I remember. I was using a new computer that was a Oceanic Versa Pro, I also had my old computer that was a Genisis Resource. All the way through the dive I was comparing them and the were amazingly close to the same all the way.

Odd you should say that. I went from a Genesis React to an Oceanic VT Pro and noticed myself how similar they were. Basicly there are 3 main algorithms that most computer use. Get the same algorithm, get the same results. I believe that there are many factors involved in a hit, but I also believe that some people are more succeptable than others. You might want to think about selling those computers and getting a Suunto. They are the most conservative I have seen.

As for the oxygen on the boat. I do not know for sure if there was oxygen on the boat or not. I do know that it was never offered or never pulled out for that matter. With the sypmtoms that I had and being a retired fireman I know that at the very least oxygen should have been offered if it was available. But remember they were quite sure that it was motion sickness and a touch of food poisioning.

I have been diving with BA in the past and I'm pretty sure they cary O2 on the boats, they did on mine. From what I have heard, your symptoms could have very well been revenge and/or seasickness. I would have probably administered O2, it's cheap enough and better safe than sorry. However, I can see an op in Coz seeing enough of these "sick gringos" that they assume Montezuma is having fun.

I would suggest adding another rule to your list. If in doubt, ask for O2. This is important because the symptoms of DCI are so far spread, that many of them can easily be confused with other ailments. Headache...sun. Nausea...seasickness/food posioning. Joint Pain...lifting tanks/gear. The list goes on. So the final rule should be, if in doubt, ask for O2 and call DAN/see a diving doctor.

You are very lucky to have such a good friend as Christi. No doubt her personal experience with DCI helped as well.

We are all very glad you've come through this ok. I urge you to get tested to see if you have a PFO, and since you are merely a state away, I hope I get to dive with you sometime in the future.

Please keep us updated on your progress...

James

 

[Ron Brandt]

Glad I heard the story. I was told about a guy that "was told he had food poisioning" and was actually bent, upon my arrival in Coz the evening of Feb 23.

You guys know who I dive with and have been there when other dive opps have asked to borrow an O2 kit for their boat.

Glad to see you are OK.

Ron