Stomach Sickness & The Shakes?

[shotthebreeze]

Hi guys,

When I completed my pool sessions in my OW class over the course of 2 days, I had some interesting occurances.

On the first day, we were in the water for about 3 hours and I felt a little shaky when I got out of the pool. Luckily before that we had our classroom session, so all I had to do was dry off and get myself back home.

On the second day, I wasn't so lucky. We were in the pool from 8 am to 12 pm, and our classroom session was second. When I got out of the pool I had diarrhea, the shakes and I was dizzy.

Has anyone had this before or know what it could be from? Perhaps it was the amount of time I spent in the water. I hope my checkout dives don't go like this. That could spell trouble...

 

[DocVikingo]

Hi shotthebreeze,

No fun.

A few questions:

1. Do you become chilled while in the pool?

2. Does the training schedule interfere with your normal eating habits?

3. Do you find yourself swallowing any significant amounts water while in the pool?

4. Are you anxious about the course?

5. Do you have any other signs or symptoms other than those mentioned?

Regards,

DocVikingo

 

[shotthebreeze]

Hey Doc,

I was cold the first day in the pool towards the end. The second day I didn't notice anything.

The training did interfere with my normal eating habbits, especially the second day.

I don't remember swallowing any water while in the pool.

I wasn't anxious about the course after I met my instructors and took to the water.

I think my problem may just be anxiety in general. Lately I've had panic/anxiety attacks and I can't figure out why. I just want to do my checkout dives and get them done, but again, anxiety could be a problem here.

 

[Dr Deco]

Hello shotthebreeze :

While different conditions could cause your shakiness, one possibility is from the duration in the pool of several hours. Immersion causes a shift of blood to the upper body. Exiting the pool causes fluid shift of blood back to the lower extremities. Curiously, this same phenomenon affects astronauts when returning back to Earth from the null gravity of space (a shift of blood back to legs).

When returning to Earth, many are shaky on their feet. This does not affect all astronauts equally. Some will even pass out if they stand (orthostatic hypotension) while others are virtually unaffected.

Just a possibility.

Dr Deco :doctor:

The next class in Decompression Physiology for 2007 is August 18-19. :1book:
This class is at the USC campus in Los Angeles.
http://wrigley.usc.edu/hyperbaric/advdeco.htm

 

[shotthebreeze]

Dr. Dreco,

Thanks a bunch for the response. Hopefully the checkout dives won't turn out like this. Aren't they only supposed to be like 20 minute dives and that's about it? I think I read that somewhere...

 

[Mako Mark]

Dr. Dreco,

Thanks a bunch for the response. Hopefully the checkout dives won't turn out like this. Aren't they only supposed to be like 20 minute dives and that's about it? I think I read that somewhere...

Minimum 20 minutes, could be 40 minutes or even an hour depending on you, your instructor, your gas consumption and your dive plan

 

[Tigerman]

Personally, I do feel a bit "shaky and light headed" after some of the longer dives. It doesnt last very long tho and Dr Deco described it quite well.
Also if I dont eat and drink well before dives and during SI (and other less than idle activities) i can feel a bit like ive got a flu untill i get rehydrated and fed..
Infact, im gonna go grab some food right now.

I get a bit curious when you say you for some reason has had some panic/anxiety attacks lately tho. Have you consulted your dr about it? I think that could be a good idea.

 

[shotthebreeze]

I get a bit curious when you say you for some reason has had some panic/anxiety attacks lately tho. Have you consulted your dr about it? I think that could be a good idea.

Yeah, I made an appointment yesterday...we'll see how it goes...

 

[shakeybrainsurgeon]

Maybe you just have a virus and it's all just a coincidence, having nothing to do with the diving except bad timing.

 

[shotthebreeze]

Maybe you just have a virus and it's all just a coincidence, having nothing to do with the diving except bad timing.

That would be a beautiful thing...