Newby question about Decompression Illness

[Painter]

I have just finished my PADI open water certification and I had a great time. So great a time that I didn't ask a very important question.

I am over 60, I have a neurological condition that makes my legs and feet numb and tingly (and I don't walk so well either). I also have a pinched nerve in my neck that causes joint pain in my back, shoulders, elbows and hands, along with some tingling. From what I have read, all of these conditions mimic symptoms of decompression illness. How would I know, or is there any way that I can know, if I am suffering from DCI and not just my normal pains and tingling?

By the way, my neurologist signed off on my medical form for the PADI certification, and once I am in the water I can use my legs in a way that I can't on land. For a person like myself with limited mobility, diving is a truly wonderful experience.

 

[TSandM]

There are a lot of us with baseline aches and pains, and I'd guess a fair few with neuropathy, as well. It can be very confusing to sort out what is new, especially if any of the activities of diving aggravate what's already there. I just do the best pre-dive assessment I can, and hope that anything that changes will change sufficiently for me to be sure of what it is, at least eventually.

 

[Patoux01]

My view on this... Stay well within a conservative No Decompression Limit, and enjoy your diving.

DCS is very unlikely for an open water diver, just add some extra safety (for instance by setting your computer to mode P2 instead of P0, make sure to read the manual before doing this) and you should be fine (except if your illness causes issues with blood flow, that is).
Lung over expansion is more likely with beginners than more experienced divers, just remember to breathe out when ascending and you'll be covered for that!
Once you know more about how your body reacts to submerging, you'll be able to go for longer dives, maybe even deco at some point.

Of course, this doesn't answer your question, but I think you're mainly worried about something that is very, very unlikely to happen to you.


If you are still worried, there are other signs and symptoms to DCS, however the ones listed are most usual for shallower dives, if I'm not mistaken.


Or if I'm an ass for trying to show you there's no risk while you in fact are only interested in seeing the difference between your condition and DCS, I'm sorry!

 

[AfterDark]

I'm in the same situation as you are OP 60 years old with aches and pains in numerous joints. I've asked the same question all though it was tongue in cheek. Bottom time and depth are my indicators. It's been posted already to stay well within the NDL also adding a few extra minutes to your SS won't hurt either.

Also already posted don't worry about it. It's a very remote possibility if you follow the rules. All that being said chances are if you get DCS you'll know it probably by the intensity of the pain. Safe diving!

 

[Max Speed]

It's much more confusing if you're a stoner and can't tell when you're narced.

 

[DivemasterDennis]

I agree with Patoux 1, the best plan is prevention. Given your age and physical condition, limit your diving to conditions in which you are comfortable and competent. Plan dive well within no decompression limits, and strictly adhere to a 30 feet per minute ascent rate at the end of dives as well as during the dives as you move between depths.
DivemasterDennis

 

[KevinNM]

You might also consider setting additional conservationism on your dive computer.

 

[Bob DBF]

The other Geezers chimed in with good advise. Keep close track of the symptoms you already have, so you can check for change. And because I'm getting older, even I have changed to more conservative diving in regards to ascent, safety stop, and hanging shallow until my computer is well within the green happy area, than I was just a few years ago.



Bob

 

[victorzamora]

I'm 25 but I have a pinched nerve in my back and that's a "No-No" on PADI's physical requirements for Tec training. I called DAN about it (which I suggest you do as well), and they said that if I'm a little extra cautious, keep up my insurance, pay EXTRA attention, and that there shouldn't really be an issue. What's dangerous is your pre-existing conditions hiding DCS/DCI symptoms, so it seems like your gut instinct was pretty dead-on right there. As long as you know when something is out of the ordinary you should be alright.

 

[Freewillow]

I would say the same as most people around here, maybe with one small additional advise. To stay largelly within recreational NDL would leave you away from Decompression Illness. There is, to my knowledge, only a defect in the heart : a foramen ovale that is not closed correctly in your heart could lead to some higher risk. So if you really want to be certain, a simple echo of your heart would give you an answer. . Please be aware that the frequency of this "defect" is pretty high (10-25% of the population) , but that it is clinically insignificant in the vast majority of people ( including divers).

Enjoy diving