OP
rmediver I sent an e-mail to your attn. thru your website. Hope you don't mind---I feel more comfortable passing on the names of facilities and doctors this way.
Skin Bends
- Thread starter diveprojeff
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Thanks Jeff, I appreciate the information.
Mr. P
Guest
this is interesting. Until one week ago, I had never heard of skin bends. Was on a liveaboard in Grand Cayman - noticed discoloration on and off during the week on my skin in the abdomen area. Went to the doctor the day before flying and was diagnosed with skin bends. Got sent to the chamber for six hours (25 minutes on O2 / 5 minutes air, etc. etc.) I'm glad I didn't fly out the next morning as had been originally scheduled before the doctor's visit. My profiles were all within recommended guidelines as we are safe divers. In reviewing, I've come up with the fact that during the 4 weeks prior to diving, I had cut back to 1 cup of coffee and was drinking 12+ glasses of water per day. My kidneys were flushing quite regularly. When we arrived to begin diving, I didn't focus on downing the same amount of water, but my body was still in "cleansing mode". I believe that I became drastically de-hydrated, contributing to this. I felt fine and never was tired. Also, I am going to get Nitrox certified to cut down on the amt. of Nitrogen I consume in the future. Spending 6 hours in the chamber was 6 hours more than I ever hope to spend again. One week later, I'm back to exercising and drinking lots of water. Hopefully, a lesson learned that I won't repeat.
Johnoly
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diveprojeff:
That's good info to relate. Every case of skin bends that I've heard of always is accompanied by intense itching. Good info that it doesn't have to be there to still be skin bends. Without the itching I would have dismissed it as a rash/sting/rub also.
Allison Finch
Contributor
My sister had a skin hit in PNG a couple of months ago. It resolved with O2 and she stopped diving for the remaining three days of the trip. She was WELL within all safety profiles. Many people kinda blow off skin bends as being minor. However, it is known that this could happen concurrently with a more severe CNS hit. Take it very seriously until proven otherwise.
The military now treats skin DCS (classified as a type I symptom) as a type II (neurological) symptom because it usually is in combination with other more severe symptoms...
beachdivequeenbelam
Guest
I thought that all hits are suppose to be considered very serious and treatment sought.
Shouldn't all hits be treated like it was a severe hit?
Shouldn't all hits be treated like it was a severe hit?
Your absolutely right BDQB, they all should and would be treated as a very serious situation, the treatment protocol could differ slightly depending on the nature of the injury (type I and type II or AGE).
I did not mean to minimize the importance of seeking immediate treatment, that is the first and most important step!!
I did not mean to minimize the importance of seeking immediate treatment, that is the first and most important step!!
beachdivequeenbelam
Guest
I kinda of figured that treatments would differ but I also wonder if people sometimes don't realize that they have the bends.
Is that possible for people to not know?
I just got Nitrox certified and I like that much better.
I would worry sometimes that I might have DCI after I dived a lot when I first started diving.
I would get tired and I knewI couldn't take a nap for several hours after diving because the dive still continues after you are done for the day.
I sometimes would get pains in my back or side. It turned out to be nothing but a woman thing,if you know what I mean, and once I had kidney stones(very small passed in a few days).
It always reminded me of being pregnant when I was first diving because every pain and twitch made me worry. I would go and quadraple check my profiles. Call DAN, or my doc just to be sure. Actually it was good I called docs at those times because it was sometime else. Although minor, still problems that needed dealing with.
I think that the most important thing I have learned from diving is to pay a lot more attention to my health, and watch others too.
Is that possible for people to not know?
I just got Nitrox certified and I like that much better.
I would worry sometimes that I might have DCI after I dived a lot when I first started diving.
I would get tired and I knewI couldn't take a nap for several hours after diving because the dive still continues after you are done for the day.
I sometimes would get pains in my back or side. It turned out to be nothing but a woman thing,if you know what I mean, and once I had kidney stones(very small passed in a few days).
It always reminded me of being pregnant when I was first diving because every pain and twitch made me worry. I would go and quadraple check my profiles. Call DAN, or my doc just to be sure. Actually it was good I called docs at those times because it was sometime else. Although minor, still problems that needed dealing with.
I think that the most important thing I have learned from diving is to pay a lot more attention to my health, and watch others too.
OP
I didn't know when I posted "skin bends" that there would be this much response. Thought it was just a freak thing that caught up with me after 30 years below the surface. To those who have had "their" hit or those who knew of others I am very glad things turned out for the better. A lesson learned here no matter the experience of the diver. Everyone should keep in mind if rash would develops. Needs to be weighed in with stings, scrapes, reactions!!
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