Seizure Survivability

[Zach The Diver]

I think most people prowling this forum are pretty familiar with O2 toxicity and why diving with excessively high partial pressures is dangerous- so I’ll just make my point.

Have there ever been any documented cases where a diver has suffered a complete convulsion from O2 toxicity while submerged and SURVIVED?

I just took GUE Fundamentals and the module that covered this stated that it was “associated with low survivability”, which is a given. Does this mean that the sample size of survivors is exactly zero, or extremely rare?

I could imagine someone on 100% O2 near the end of a prolonged 20 foot deco may survive if brought immediately to the surface (nevermind the risks for DCS). Likewise I could imagine the use of a full-face mask (that manages to avoid being dislodged) during a convulsion could have resulted in a survival. I’m not a tech diver yet so advanced deco procedures are slightly beyond my current purview.

Curious to hear your thoughts.

 

[clownfishsydney]

I personally know a few divers who died from O2 seizures, I have not known any who have survived.

 

[kinoons]

Thinking this through with plenty of experience caring for seizure patients along with a small amount of water rescue experience (lifeguarding) I’d conclude having a seizure while submerged will in all likelihood have a very poor outcome.

As noted the lack of a full face mask can equate to the loss of a regulator in the mouth.

A seizure will almost certainly also result in a loss of buoyancy control and subsequent sinking or popping up to the surface and the injury associated with either outcome.

Even if these two do not result in a fatality the loss of consciousness and following post ictal phase means a diver will be completely unable to rescue themselves under water or on the surface.

For any possible chance at rescue a dive buddy must be immediately available and nearby at the onset of seizure and understand what is happening. Then the buddy must get the now unresponsive diver to the surface before they wake up confused and potentially fight anyone helping them under the surface (or on the surfaced for that matter)

Not a good situation

 

[rjack321]

Have there ever been any documented cases where a diver has suffered a complete convulsion from O2 toxicity while submerged and SURVIVED?

Yes I know a couple although I wasn't present at the time. Both were pretty grateful for attentive, prompt and close-by buddies saving their lives

 

[CG43]

Have there ever been any documented cases where a diver has suffered a complete convulsion from O2 toxicity while submerged and SURVIVED?

Do you know " J. Y. COUSTEAU The silent World " ?

There you can read about his two accidents with complete convulsions .
And you can watch the video " The Coral Diver of Corsica "
with the accident that diver Rene Coll had .


the coral divers of corsica - Suchen Videos

 

[Underwater Tourist]

I dont think that topic has its own YT video, but you can google around + read on SB on gag straps for rebreathers. Basically they prevent / make it less likely that the loop will come out from your mouth when you convulse, hence making it more likely that your survive. I am sure someone might have some links at hand and can post them also about the topic