sleeping on the SI

[trevinkorea]

I have read here on the SB that it is ill advised to sleep during a SI. I haven't read a clear reason for this so far.

Why is this?

I have asked some instructors and doctors I've met in classes but have not received a clear response.

This question has been on my mind for several months and both my buddy and myself used to take turns napping during surface intervals. (Well actually my buddy because he was faster to the truck.)

I'm new to posting on the SB so if this is in the wrong forum please move it to a more approapriate location.

I'd appreciate any response and if you know where I could read up on this or other related topics please let me know.

 

[baitedstorm]

Wow!! This is the first I've ever heard of that before. Hope it's not dangerous cause my hubby and I do it all the time (best sleep in the world). Hopefully someone can shed some light on this subject.

 

[Kim]

First off - welcome to ScubaBoard.

Secondly - this is probably a good forum for this question - and it's one I have never heard before as well - well done!!

Thirdly, I agree with baitedstorm that I have never heard this before and have no clue as to the answer! I eagerly await further responses!!!

Do you have a link to where you read this on SB?

 

[miketsp]

For the same reason that you are not allowed to doze off during many hospital/medical procedures. If you start getting symptoms nobody will know.
If people think you are dozing, you may actually be unconcious.

 

[Kim]

OK - I sort of get that. So I suppose it would also apply after a days diving? How long are you supposed to wait before you can go to bed then? (This is a real question as I'm going on a liveaboard and doing 4 dives a day in just a couple of weeks!)

 

[trevinkorea]

I'm glad to see that others are interested in this topic and perhaps we can find an answer.

I tried to locate the thread where I first read about sleeping on the SI but I've been reading this board for about a year and it was quite a while ago that I read about it.

I believe it was in a Dr. Deco thread and a couple of people mentioned that divers should never sleep during the SI but did not say why. Being new to the board I didn't want to expose my ignorance at the time.

I took a rescue course from an ENT doctor about six months ago and he responded by telling me that it was not good because it makes it difficult to recognize if a diver is experiencing any problems related to the dive.

Since then I have had several doctors including bone doctors general surgeons, cosmetic surgeons etc. attend my class and one of the younger doctors did a little research on the topic as he was also intrigued by the question.

I asked him specifically if sleeping could increase the chances of DCS and we discussed breathing rates, heart beats, blood flow and the like.

After a few days he mentioned that the resting (sleeping) heart rate and respiratory rate could slow the off gassing and this could be a problem. He also supported the claim that it could make it impossible or difficult to recognize any complications from the dive. This was essentially what I got out of him after dummying down the technical jargon. (He is not a native speaker of English so it took quite a while)

Does this sound correct. It makes sense but to what degree could sleeping on the SI complicate the situation within a recreational diving or decompression diving situation, and how could sleeping cause complications if any are in fact possible.

Thank you for the responses.

I have been impressed with the members of this board and their wealth of knowledge since I first located it. This is the only board I read because I think it has a great group of divers and even a novice poster like myself can feel comfortable.

 

[BigJetDriver]

Folks,

The practical reason, as a direct answer to that question, is because we won't be able to notice signs, and you won't be able to notice symptoms, if there is a problem.

Under recreational conditions, the slowing of respiration and heart rate would not be enough to make a major difference in your off-gassing.

Rob Davie

 

[smokey braden]

question,
if a diver was being treated for the bends by putting them in a deco chamber, would they be required not to sleep during the "ride"?
thanks

 

[RTodd]

question,
if a diver was being treated for the bends by putting them in a deco chamber, would they be required not to sleep during the "ride"?
thanks

I have never seen them stop anyone from dozing but it is hard to sleep because of the gas switches. Plus, most people on their first "ride" are a bit nervous. Being tired after a dive is a sign of non-clinical DCS or unoptimal deco/safety stop whatever practices. However, there are a lot more practical way of reducing DCS risk (such as jogging an extra few miles a day) than worrying about taking a nap between dives.

 

[Boogie711]

May I suggest that everyone who feels a need to have a nap after a dive start making slower ascents?

I added deep stops to my dive plans, and now I get out of the water fresh, zippy and ready to go.