FWIW, DAN has only one Hyperbaric Medicine Physician on staff outside the US, and that's in Cozumel, Dr. Dario Gomez. I've also heard great things about Dr. Piccolo in Coz as well.
Noob returning to Diving after DCS
- Thread starter navi_jen
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K
KeithG
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Maybe consider diving much more conservatively by spending a larger proportion of your time in shallow water?
I see many divers that head deep and then ride their computers NDL back to the surface. Generally makes for short dives (they also tend to be low on air after 30 or 40 minutes).
If you are in the right place, there are lots of things to see above 30 feet.
Some people feel cheated if they get out of the water before their computer forces them to surface. So they go deep and load up on nitrogen.
Being lazy, I feel cheated if I get less than 70 minutes bottom time after going through the effort of gearing up. This means I dive shallow, often spending the majority of my dive minutes above 30 feet.
I see many divers that head deep and then ride their computers NDL back to the surface. Generally makes for short dives (they also tend to be low on air after 30 or 40 minutes).
If you are in the right place, there are lots of things to see above 30 feet.
Some people feel cheated if they get out of the water before their computer forces them to surface. So they go deep and load up on nitrogen.
Being lazy, I feel cheated if I get less than 70 minutes bottom time after going through the effort of gearing up. This means I dive shallow, often spending the majority of my dive minutes above 30 feet.
dumpsterDiver
Banned
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I think it would be interesting to know how bad you screwed up before. If you got bent and deserved it, you have no medical complications, no PFO and are in decent shape and have excellent control of your bouyancy on ascent.... then I wouldn't be too worried about being overly conservative.
Any of us can get bent. I would dive nitrox for anything over 50 feet, and I personally have felt a lot better doing a deep stop for 2-3 minutes. Doing no more than 2-3 dives per day, staying out of deco, doing 2-3 minutes at half way up and another 3 minutes at 15 feet and i would try not to worry about it too much.
Any of us can get bent. I would dive nitrox for anything over 50 feet, and I personally have felt a lot better doing a deep stop for 2-3 minutes. Doing no more than 2-3 dives per day, staying out of deco, doing 2-3 minutes at half way up and another 3 minutes at 15 feet and i would try not to worry about it too much.
Yes, it's too bad you don't have the profiles.
There are some dives where it's just vanishingly unlikely that anyone could get bent . . . diving Nitrox shallower than 30 feet, for example; you will run out of gas before you have anywhere near enough nitrogen loading to cause problems. Even deeper dives are rendered safer with Nitrox, and also with carefully controlled ascents and long safety stop times. It would be interesting to know what your ascent rates were on your last dives, and whether you held a safety stop, and for how long.
If it were me, I'd start with really benign dives. Keep them really shallow, like glorified snorkeling, until you feel confident. Extend slowly, and CONTROL YOUR ASCENTS. That's one way in which owning your own gear and having your own gauges can help, because it's easier to manage everything if you are familiar with it.
There are some dives where it's just vanishingly unlikely that anyone could get bent . . . diving Nitrox shallower than 30 feet, for example; you will run out of gas before you have anywhere near enough nitrogen loading to cause problems. Even deeper dives are rendered safer with Nitrox, and also with carefully controlled ascents and long safety stop times. It would be interesting to know what your ascent rates were on your last dives, and whether you held a safety stop, and for how long.
If it were me, I'd start with really benign dives. Keep them really shallow, like glorified snorkeling, until you feel confident. Extend slowly, and CONTROL YOUR ASCENTS. That's one way in which owning your own gear and having your own gauges can help, because it's easier to manage everything if you are familiar with it.
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It sounds like you were bent from simply being overly aggressive with your diving, even tho you don't have those profiles - and we don't know about other possible risk issues that could have been in play. I can certainly understand why you'd really want to avoid another hit after being injured before, but your plans are certainly overly cautious.
I'll share my views on your list. You can compare them to others views, ignore them, or whatever...
PFO discussions after hits are popular among divers, but the DAN study with several leading dive doctors just does not support the concern. 25-30% of divers have PFOs but hardly anyone gets bent, so there's got to be a lot more to the story. They may decide in time that there is a direct correlation, but not yet - and PFO exams are not without risk. At least read before proceeding with that idea: Alert Diver | PFO and Decompression Illness in Recreational Divers
1. Make sure I'm in good physical shape, including all bloodwork (I'm 40s, healthy, no medications). Always a good approach.
2. Buy primary and backup computer (and a conservative one like Suunuto). Find my dive table or get another one! Your computer should include a dive planning feature better than tables. If you really want 2 computers, make sure they're the same brand.
3. Buy BCS, reg, backup air...and get really comfortable with my own gear. Well, I dive a pony by my choice, but that's a different story really.
4. Get Nitrox Certified. Good tool to have.
5. Dive Nitrox on air profile. With a Suunto computer?! It's hard enough to find buddies who will dive with a Suunto diver as they are excessively conservative, but that's just too much, IMO.
6. Do PADI refresher course. OK, or just move on to AOW course instead.
7. Take first vacation somewhere where there is a Deco chamber within an hour or so (I thinking GC, just because I know I'm in good medical hands there). There are many dive destinations with available chambers.
8. This is the hardest one...what should my dive schedule be? (1 dive only a day? 2 dives one day, next day off?). I know what the tables tell me I can do....I'm just wondering what is prudent. I think you just screwed up before and would be fine with 2 or 3 dives done right a day.
9. Can I start out slowly, make sure there is no response, then increase my dives to normal recreational schedule? If so, should this be for each subsequent trip (I am a pretty fish diver and generally only dive on vacation to warm weather destinations). Study your computer, know it well, dive it safely, while getting plenty of rest & liquids on the trip. My Oceanic computers have green, yellow, and red zones - and I like to avoid red (deco), and if in the yellow - extend my safety stops long enough to get back in the green before surfacing. Then I like to float on the surface without moving for a full minute, and when I do go for the ladder - make the exit as easy as possible, avoiding strenuous activity. I love it when the boat mater offers to pull my gear up for me so I can climb out without it. Slow ascents are important too, and I guess you knew that, but-?
10. Finally, how do you plan your week, if you are diving with an operator and you don't know what dive sites you are going to? Do you just plan as you go (i.e. after the dive briefing and by looking at your computer?) Yep, using my computer dive plan mode.
I'll share my views on your list. You can compare them to others views, ignore them, or whatever...
PFO discussions after hits are popular among divers, but the DAN study with several leading dive doctors just does not support the concern. 25-30% of divers have PFOs but hardly anyone gets bent, so there's got to be a lot more to the story. They may decide in time that there is a direct correlation, but not yet - and PFO exams are not without risk. At least read before proceeding with that idea: Alert Diver | PFO and Decompression Illness in Recreational Divers
1. Make sure I'm in good physical shape, including all bloodwork (I'm 40s, healthy, no medications). Always a good approach.
2. Buy primary and backup computer (and a conservative one like Suunuto). Find my dive table or get another one! Your computer should include a dive planning feature better than tables. If you really want 2 computers, make sure they're the same brand.
3. Buy BCS, reg, backup air...and get really comfortable with my own gear. Well, I dive a pony by my choice, but that's a different story really.
4. Get Nitrox Certified. Good tool to have.
5. Dive Nitrox on air profile. With a Suunto computer?! It's hard enough to find buddies who will dive with a Suunto diver as they are excessively conservative, but that's just too much, IMO.
6. Do PADI refresher course. OK, or just move on to AOW course instead.
7. Take first vacation somewhere where there is a Deco chamber within an hour or so (I thinking GC, just because I know I'm in good medical hands there). There are many dive destinations with available chambers.
8. This is the hardest one...what should my dive schedule be? (1 dive only a day? 2 dives one day, next day off?). I know what the tables tell me I can do....I'm just wondering what is prudent. I think you just screwed up before and would be fine with 2 or 3 dives done right a day.
9. Can I start out slowly, make sure there is no response, then increase my dives to normal recreational schedule? If so, should this be for each subsequent trip (I am a pretty fish diver and generally only dive on vacation to warm weather destinations). Study your computer, know it well, dive it safely, while getting plenty of rest & liquids on the trip. My Oceanic computers have green, yellow, and red zones - and I like to avoid red (deco), and if in the yellow - extend my safety stops long enough to get back in the green before surfacing. Then I like to float on the surface without moving for a full minute, and when I do go for the ladder - make the exit as easy as possible, avoiding strenuous activity. I love it when the boat mater offers to pull my gear up for me so I can climb out without it. Slow ascents are important too, and I guess you knew that, but-?
10. Finally, how do you plan your week, if you are diving with an operator and you don't know what dive sites you are going to? Do you just plan as you go (i.e. after the dive briefing and by looking at your computer?) Yep, using my computer dive plan mode.
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altaskier
Contributor
Hey navi_jen, as others have said you're doing a good job of thinking things through! Let me just add that you should let your buddy, and the divemaster+captain on your boat, know about your previous hit. If you can buy only one thing, get a computer, and (as TSandM said) look really carefully at its ascent rate and COME UP VERY SLOWLY!
I have Suunto computers, and I dive nitrox on most dives below 50 feet. Even when doing 5 dives per day on a liveaboard, I have never had to cut short a dive with others due to my non-decompression limits (NDL); it's usually been that we're all low enough on air that it's time to end the dive. However, I have had just a few times where my Suunto asked me to spend an extra minute or two at the deco stop (perhaps due to ascending too fast, or not pausing for a minute at the halfway point on the ascent?), which I have certainly obeyed. So, I don't find the supposed conservatism of Suunto computers limiting; instead, I'm happy about it.
I have Suunto computers, and I dive nitrox on most dives below 50 feet. Even when doing 5 dives per day on a liveaboard, I have never had to cut short a dive with others due to my non-decompression limits (NDL); it's usually been that we're all low enough on air that it's time to end the dive. However, I have had just a few times where my Suunto asked me to spend an extra minute or two at the deco stop (perhaps due to ascending too fast, or not pausing for a minute at the halfway point on the ascent?), which I have certainly obeyed. So, I don't find the supposed conservatism of Suunto computers limiting; instead, I'm happy about it.
1. Make sure I'm in good physical shape, including all bloodwork (I'm 40s, healthy, no medications) Good idea for anyone doing anything
2. Buy primary and backup computer (and a conservative one like Suunuto). Find my dive table or get another one! Forget the computer, Buy a Bottom Timer, find your tables, plan the dives on them. Then stick to your dive plan. If it meshes with the guides, fine. If it doesn't stick to yours! Try to dive square profiles that correspond to the plan you came up with. You don't have to dip into every little canyon and crevice. You can still follow a guide if you want from above them.
3. Buy BCS, reg, backup air...and get really comfortable with my own gear. You don't need redundant air. Work on buddy skills and stay shallow for a awhile.
4. Get Nitrox Certified Another decent option. But if you stay shallow not a necessity
5. Dive Nitrox on air profile. If diving deeper than 50 feet a good idea. If less then ok but again not necessary. Stick to your plan.
6. Do PADI refresher course. Don't limit yourself to one agency. Find an instructor that will tailor a refresher to you.
7. Take first vacation somewhere where there is a Deco chamber within an hour or so (I thinking GC, just because I know I'm in good medical hands there). Ok but plan your dives and execute them so that chamber, barring some catastrophe, is not necessary.
8. This is the hardest one...what should my dive schedule be? (1 dive only a day? 2 dives one day, next day off?). I know what the tables tell me I can do....I'm just wondering what is prudent. That's up to you. One thing to get out of your mind is how many dives. Forget that notion. Get into a "Quality and safety over anything frame of mind. Four so so dives are worth much less than one really great one where you saw something cool and you improved some aspect of your skills and knowledge.
9. Can I start out slowly, make sure there is no response, then increase my dives to normal recreational schedule? If so, should this be for each subsequent trip (I am a pretty fish diver and generally only dive on vacation to warm weather destinations). Only you and your doc can determine that.
10. Finally, how do you plan your week, if you are diving with an operator and you don't know what dive sites you are going to? Do you just plan as you go (i.e. after the dive briefing and by looking at your computer?) Is there where dive tables come in handy so you can 'plan' your upcoming dive?). Simple. Plan! Call or email them and ask. This is the problem with many OW classes. Dive planning is not taught. The dive planning process begins when you make the decision to dive. Not when you get to the boat. Ask them what sites they dive. Most ops have specific ones they take people to. Ask them about the site. Depth, currents, time out and back, etc. then make a plan for each site in advance and once you find out where the boat is going refer to it.
2. Buy primary and backup computer (and a conservative one like Suunuto). Find my dive table or get another one! Forget the computer, Buy a Bottom Timer, find your tables, plan the dives on them. Then stick to your dive plan. If it meshes with the guides, fine. If it doesn't stick to yours! Try to dive square profiles that correspond to the plan you came up with. You don't have to dip into every little canyon and crevice. You can still follow a guide if you want from above them.
3. Buy BCS, reg, backup air...and get really comfortable with my own gear. You don't need redundant air. Work on buddy skills and stay shallow for a awhile.
4. Get Nitrox Certified Another decent option. But if you stay shallow not a necessity
5. Dive Nitrox on air profile. If diving deeper than 50 feet a good idea. If less then ok but again not necessary. Stick to your plan.
6. Do PADI refresher course. Don't limit yourself to one agency. Find an instructor that will tailor a refresher to you.
7. Take first vacation somewhere where there is a Deco chamber within an hour or so (I thinking GC, just because I know I'm in good medical hands there). Ok but plan your dives and execute them so that chamber, barring some catastrophe, is not necessary.
8. This is the hardest one...what should my dive schedule be? (1 dive only a day? 2 dives one day, next day off?). I know what the tables tell me I can do....I'm just wondering what is prudent. That's up to you. One thing to get out of your mind is how many dives. Forget that notion. Get into a "Quality and safety over anything frame of mind. Four so so dives are worth much less than one really great one where you saw something cool and you improved some aspect of your skills and knowledge.
9. Can I start out slowly, make sure there is no response, then increase my dives to normal recreational schedule? If so, should this be for each subsequent trip (I am a pretty fish diver and generally only dive on vacation to warm weather destinations). Only you and your doc can determine that.
10. Finally, how do you plan your week, if you are diving with an operator and you don't know what dive sites you are going to? Do you just plan as you go (i.e. after the dive briefing and by looking at your computer?) Is there where dive tables come in handy so you can 'plan' your upcoming dive?). Simple. Plan! Call or email them and ask. This is the problem with many OW classes. Dive planning is not taught. The dive planning process begins when you make the decision to dive. Not when you get to the boat. Ask them what sites they dive. Most ops have specific ones they take people to. Ask them about the site. Depth, currents, time out and back, etc. then make a plan for each site in advance and once you find out where the boat is going refer to it.
My log book is packed away (house renovations) but I think we did something like (depths only) 100/60 (mornings) 80/60 (afternoons) for 3 days. On the 4th I was bent. Always surfaced with 500 psi (with my competitive swimming, I manage my air well). Looking back, I (we) absolutely should have been on nitrox with that kind of diving. I honestly can't remember if our rented computers told us we were in deco. But, again, looking back, we probably were and ignored it. (dumb, dumb, dumb). And, it's definately a personal thing. My dive buddy went even deeper than I did...and I got bent and she was fine 
Somewhere in my hazy memory, I seem to recall doc saying 2 dives a day, take the 3rd day off..that sort of thing. But they were definately more loosey-goosey than a strict profile. I will certainly ask my new Dive Doc.
I can't tell you how grateful I am to have constructive advice (particularly the calling ahead and talking to the shop before we leave for vacay...never occurred to me in a million years) and not being overly bashed. I know I screwed up...I just want to do everything I can to prevent it from ever having it happen again. Cause it was hard on both me and my dive buddy!
Thanks again!
Jen
Somewhere in my hazy memory, I seem to recall doc saying 2 dives a day, take the 3rd day off..that sort of thing. But they were definately more loosey-goosey than a strict profile. I will certainly ask my new Dive Doc.
I can't tell you how grateful I am to have constructive advice (particularly the calling ahead and talking to the shop before we leave for vacay...never occurred to me in a million years) and not being overly bashed. I know I screwed up...I just want to do everything I can to prevent it from ever having it happen again. Cause it was hard on both me and my dive buddy!
Thanks again!
Jen
That's what we are here for. Now if it happens again cause you didn't listen
...... Then we'll be on ya like white on rice
:whack:
Have fun and dive safe!
...... Then we'll be on ya like white on rice :whack:Have fun and dive safe!
MrPfeffer
Registered
Seems like the recommended depths for a new OW is 60' not 100'. Not saying this contributed but seems like first mistake in dive planning. Maybe a location with a house reef with shore diving would be easiest to get back into instead of having to follow a set schedule of a dive boat.
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