Please Help! Should he fly?

[Scuba-Jay]

memaru I'm sure we would all like an update on your fiancé's condition when you get the chance. Best of luck.

Jay

 

[DandyDon]

He might arrange with the airline to provide with me onboard Oxygen for the entire flight. You cannot take your own, but you can have it provided, probly with doctors orders.

After this long, I don't think he'd still be bent even if he was, but residual damages may need to be treated. If DrDeco is online this weekend, maybe he can come post on this...?

This may be a stupid question, but I've never had to call them before. Is there a charge for calling and talking to them? I don't think I'm a member with them? Or is that just an automatic thing if I have my PADI certification? Do I have to be a member to call?

They've never asked me if I was a member except maybe at the end of the call.

You can join online. Here

 

[Quero]

First of all, you don't fly out from Sipadan--it's a boat trip to Semporna and then an overland trip to Tawau to the nearest airport. The nearest major chamber in Malaysia is on the island of Labuan--run by the Malaysian Navy. There is also a chamber in Brunei. I believe that Borneo Divers (click on "safety/security") has a professional chamber on Mabul. If your fiance is flying out on an emergency trip to Labuan, is it possible that he is being airlifted by helicopter to Labuan? In this case, heli pilots know to fly low enough to prevent further complications of the condition.

I am confident that the dive op your fiance is with knows as much about getting a bent diver to effective help as the members of SB. You are right to be anxious about his health, but keep in mind that Sipadan is a world-class diving destination and not a frontier-diving backwater place where the locals haven't got any idea about decompression sickness. He will receive just as concientious care from both the diving and medical professionals working with him in Malaysia as he would in the US.

 

[memaru]

Quero, you are right. I meant to say that he just finished diving in Sipidan. He is in another town 10 hours away now. I'm not sure of the name. He has called me with an update. He is feeling a lot better now. The numbness was first in both of his arms, then just in his left, and now it is fading away. He said his arm is almost back to normal now, just a hint of numbness. I don't believe it is an emergency helicopter he will be flying on. I think he was just flying on a regular passenger plane. But I will relay the message, DandyDon, about the possibility of onboard oxygen. Thank you. My fiancee said he will wait until the time is closer for the flight, and decide if his body is feeling back to normal. Otherwise he will probably wait a few more days to fly out. He has spoken with the dive op, and they think it is a very mild case, and he should be ok to fly, but he'll have to wait and see how he feels when the time gets closer.

Oh, and I tried calling DAN, but they wanted to know right away if he or I were members. We are not, although after this, I will definitely make sure we become members as soon as he gets home in a few weeks : ) Anyway, the people at DAN wouldn't answer my question because neither I nor him are members. We really should have been a little more responsible and joined a long time ago. A lesson learned...

Thank you all again for your time & concern. I will keep you updated. Thanks again!

Maria

 

[Scuba-Jay]

memaru I'm quite amazed and disappointed if what you say about DAN is true. They told you that they would not answer your questions? Did you tell them you were calling about a possible case of DCS? Did you get the name of the individual with whom you spoke? Quite amazing...

 

[memaru]

It's true. I told her about my fiancee and the possible decompression sickness, but the woman just asked if he was a member with them. I told her no, and she said she couldn't answer any of my questions. I didn't catch her name, though. But she was very short with me. Is that not normal? I just thought that I had to be a member, and since I am not, I had no business calling them...

 

[H2Andy]

try calling again and speaking with someone else at DAN

tell them you will be becoming members shortly, but that you need their help

it's not their policy to turn away non-members. make sure you call the non-emergency lines:

1-800-446-2671 or 1-919-684-2948

(i believe the emergency line is for member services only)

 

[Scuba-Jay]

Andy Im floored by this. Is this common practice?

 

[DandyDon]

It's true. I told her about my fiancee and the possible decompression sickness, but the woman just asked if he was a member with them. I told her no, and she said she couldn't answer any of my questions. I didn't catch her name, though. But she was very short with me. Is that not normal? I just thought that I had to be a member, and since I am not, I had no business calling them...

This cannot be right. Something is wrong here.

Please call 800-446-2671. Get the name and employee ID# of each person you speak with, but insist on a Dive Physician, please.

BTW, emergency Oxygen can be requested at any time on a flight. If he feels a need, all he has to do is ask.

(i believe the emergency line is for member services only)

No, that is not correct either. An employee may have made a mistake, but DAN does consultations regardless.

If there are any problems, I want the name and # please.

 

[H2Andy]

Andy Im floored by this. Is this common practice?

not sure what you mean

but DAN's emergency number is meant to coordinate services for members, not to provide medical advice

you need to call the non-emergency lines for that