Sick underwater

[Welshman]

Neve

Looks worthwhile having a go with some of the medications others have suggested.

Can only suggest you just keep plugging away.

Best of luck

 

[neve]

I sincerely thank you all for your replies. All I can do now is cross my fingers and hope for the best until I get my patch.

Happy diving!!

neve

 

[art.chick]

3 dives per day sounds like plenty to me. Are you sure you are not really pushing yourself? You sound very motivated! My husband has had this problem on days when he drank alcohol the previous night. Then he's get a mouthful of saltwater, & OOP comes the fishy food! Dehydration can result, so treat yourself to nice cool water! I can't imagine how you divers make it on empty stomachs (although I know people who can't handle breakfast + saltwater.) Well, I give you credit for tenacity!

 

[neve]

art chick:

I don't know how the dive sites are on your side of the world, but here in Asia there are so many dive sites in just one location.... so I usually get greedy and try to cram as many dives as possible in one weekend It's soooo hard to resist the temptation

Pulau Aur in Malaysia, for example, has at least 6 sites (not including the house reef), so some people even do 5 dives in one day (4 day dives and 1 night dive). I secretly suspect these people have developed gills!

But I think you may be right, I should try to limit my dives to two per day... Maybe I won't get so ill.

Thanks!

Next trip is to Perhentian Island, Malaysia, Jul 4-7! Yippeeee!

 

[art.chick]

I am so jealous I think I am going to cry; 5 grat dives in 1 day?!?! I'd rather puke than miss out, too!

 

[tinman]

Take some caution regarding seasickness and diving reve: I am aware of divers that have narc'd because a helpful captain gave them seasickness pills prior to diving.

If you do have to throw-up underwater, one technique I've read of is to hold your reg. in the side of your mouth while making it freeflow so that it won't take in anything and this can also help with dry heaves...can't speak from experience on this but its got to be better than dealing with vomit leftovers....

What are non-prescription medications that others recommend as a preventative or surface assist. Anything worth having along as part of an emergency kit for ocean dives?

 

[LilmanHSU]

I know some people use Bonnie and others use dramamine. (sp)

Personally I use the latter.. I haven't tried Bonnie yet thought.

Either one will probably work.

Part of the problem Neve is you need to take it well into a few hours before you get on the boat.. Its gotta get in your system.

Wendy suggested taking one night before, and morning of.. I agree. I do the same thing and never have any problems.. I can eat a reasonable lunch and it doesn't come back up.

also, bonnie is a over the counter motion sickness pill..

Paul

 

[rstone]

and if you absolutely need a answer.. Call Divers Alert Network, which is more than happy to give you free medical advice, and solutions. They are experts in diving medicine so it couldnt hurt to give them a call.

If you want to visit there website, they have alot of good information on it to.

http://www.diversalertnetwork.org

Ryan Stone

 

[FredT]

I have this problem from time to time. After 34 years of observation first hand I have finally worked out the mechanism that sets me off.

If the nausea comes during the final 30' of your first ascent of the day the sea conditions probably have little to do with it.

When diving you fill the available space in your sinuses with HP air. As you come up past 30 the air expands rapidly and pumps a slug of whatever else is in your sinuses into the back of your throat.

result: Instant gag reflex.

If you have a low grade sinus infection the slug of nastiness is even worse, and the heaves last longer. While it's a good thing to get the nastiness out, it is a bit of an annoyance when it comes out all at once. I have a pretty "good" set of allergies to the point that on the 240 alergen scratch test I had 3 that did NOT hit to some extent. One was the control, and they were out of serum for the other two. As a result of the allergies I almost always have a low grade sinus infection. The more I dive the clearer and less infected they are though.

Remedies:

1. Start on pretty significant decongestants and expectorants (liquivent and guaifed work for me) a week or so before a major dive trip. This both thins the mucus and encourages the mucus to drain BEFORE the trip.

2. Regular warm salt water sinus rinses should accompany this course. Take the necessary hardware on the trip to continue this treatment.

3.ENT MD visit a week or so before a trip. For me this will normally result in an antibiotic course and 1 to 1.5 CC of Celestone Soluspan IM. When in doubt the Celestone is the magic juice. It is IMPOSSIBLE not to freely drain for about 10 days after a hit of that stuff. Side effects are potentially serious though so over doing the juice is a bad thing.

4. A long HOT shower before the first dive of the day to open the world.

5. REALLY slow down on the last 30 feet of ascent to eliminate the "slug" effect.

6. Dive often to prevent buildup!


Treat the root cause and it will eliminate the issue. Once the heaves start though I am pretty well committed to it for the day.


FT

 

[neve]

wow thanks, guys. some great advice!