Post diving fatigue and nausea

[votive]

I've just been on my first two dives for four years in the Caribbean. The first one was down to 35 metres (110 feet) for about 25 minutes. The second one, 1 hour later, was down to 10 metres (30 feet) for about 40 minutes. A slow ascent with safety stops was made with both.

It's now 4 hours after the dives and I have two symptoms: I feel incredibly tired, I just slept three hours in the afternoon which is very unusual for me. Secondly, I have mild, low-level nausea. I suspect I've just overdone things a bit for the first time back in the water but I thought it would be a good idea to check here and see if anybody thinks these symptoms are worth paying more attention to. I'm a 36 year old male and otherwise healthy.

 

[Web Monkey]

I've just been on my first two dives for four years in the Caribbean. The first one was down to 35 metres (110 feet) for about 25 minutes. The second one, 1 hour later, was down to 10 metres (30 feet) for about 40 minutes. A slow ascent with safety stops was made with both.

You should call DAN at the number at the top of the page and see what they think.

110' for 25 minutes is nearly double the the NDL on the SSI tables (15 Min).

Terry

 

[do it easy]

This really isn't the place to get online diagnoses. If there is any doubt, you should consult qualified doctors. There is a banner ad at the top of the screen with information on how to contact DAN- use it.

 

[DandyDon]

I always sleep very well after diving, but then I love afternoon naps. Nausea is a different matter, tho. Could be from other possibilities, but a qualified consultation and/or exam is certainly indicated. You do not want to deny the problem...! In case of any delay in reaching DAN, seek emergency medical care ASAP.

Well it's been over 12 hours since the dives, and the original poster may well not see this tonight, so I guess this is academic by now. I borrowed this graph from a thread in the DrDeco forum...

This forum is not image enabled, but you can click that link.

 

[Tonio Anastasi]

I've just been on my first two dives for four years in the Caribbean. The first one was down to 35 metres (110 feet) for about 25 minutes. The second one, 1 hour later, was down to 10 metres (30 feet) for about 40 minutes. A slow ascent with safety stops was made with both.

It's now 4 hours after the dives and I have two symptoms: I feel incredibly tired, I just slept three hours in the afternoon which is very unusual for me. Secondly, I have mild, low-level nausea. I suspect I've just overdone things a bit for the first time back in the water but I thought it would be a good idea to check here and see if anybody thinks these symptoms are worth paying more attention to. I'm a 36 year old male and otherwise healthy.

Fatigue is an often neglected symtom of decompression sickness.
Or you could just have a bad bout of the flu.
You come out of a dive, you feel bad, assume its decompression sickness and get in touch with the local reompression chamber.
They'll be able to advise you.
On another issue.
If you do not dive for a lenght of time. Especially 4 years, regardless of your experience a 35M dive is NOT a smart or safe thing to do.
If you were a runner and had not run for 6months, let alone 4 years there is no way that you would comtemplate, a marathon, maybe a 30mis walk, run walk run program but not a marathon.

 

[Diving Doc]

Whilst agreeing with everybody above, IF IN DOUBT SPEAK TO DAN, RECOMPRESSION CHAMBER OR A DOCTOR. Rather be safe than sorry, considering the alternative it is better to appear stupid and be alive!!

 

[Damselfish]

did you stay at 110 feet for the whole 25 minutes or was that a multilevel dive?

 

[votive]

Thanks for such a quick response everyone. It's almost 24 hours now and I'm still standing (and feeling better) but it's good to know about the DAN number.

I definitely overdid it so that's a cautionary tale for the future.

(Damselfish: it was a multi-level dive, I actually only spent 5-8 mins at 35 meters.)

 

[DandyDon]

You didn't call them.

My home buddy took a hit like that once, but didn't tell anyone. He ached for months.

Or it could have been normal post dive fatigue and some bug that gave you the gut ache. Should have called DAN when it would help, but good luck.

Still should call them, but....

 

[Kendall Raine]

Thanks for such a quick response everyone. It's almost 24 hours now and I'm still standing (and feeling better) but it's good to know about the DAN number.

I definitely overdid it so that's a cautionary tale for the future.

(Damselfish: it was a multi-level dive, I actually only spent 5-8 mins at 35 meters.)

Suggestions for the future:

1. Get DAN insurance.
2. Read various articles on deep stops. A five minute safety stop at 15' is a start, but starting your stops deeper, if done properly, can significantly reduce decompression stress even on dives otherwise inside NDL's.
3. Stay really well hydrated. I don't mean Carlos and Charlies-save that for your last night. It's hard to drink too much water.
4. Get plenty of sleep.
5. If you're tired after the first dive of the day, try skipping the second. You can't get a dive injury on a dive you don't make.