Try dive DCS

[Robertbalogh]

Hello everyone!
I am completely new to diving. Actually I just completed my first try dive with an instructor today to see how it is. We went to 5 - 6 meters (20feet)in the ocean and did not stay longer than 20 minutes. We ascended normally without any stops. Now couple of hours later I feel some mild tingling in my left arm that comes and goes. I was a bit dizzy and tired during the day but I have quite exhausting hiking.vacation behind me. Also sometimes I have the tendency to be a bit hypochondriac but I can't stop thinking about these occasional tingles. Do you think there is any chance it is a DCS? Thank you!

 

[The Chairman]

Call Divers Alert Network to be sure, but I would agree with hypochondria with that profile.

 

[PatW]

The dive tables give 139 minutes until a safety stop is required for 35’. So if you are healthy, DCS is extremely unlikely. I doubt that there has ever been a recorded incident of DCS at that profile. You can always call DAN, Divers Alert Network for an expert opinion.

 

[Robertbalogh]

The dive tables give 139 minutes until a safety stop is required for 35’. So if you are healthy, DCS is extremely unlikely. I doubt that there has ever been a recorded incident of DCS at that profile. You can always call DAN, Divers Alert Network for an expert opinion.

Thank you for your reply! As far as I know I am completely healthy and quite at good fitness level as I play ice hockey. I did however have an open fracture on 1st of november last year which required surgery but at the diving center they said it shouldn't cause any issues.

 

[Diver0001]

Hello everyone!
I am completely new to diving. Actually I just completed my first try dive with an instructor today to see how it is. We went to 5 - 6 meters (20feet)in the ocean and did not stay longer than 20 minutes. We ascended normally without any stops. Now couple of hours later I feel some mild tingling in my left arm that comes and goes. I was a bit dizzy and tired during the day but I have quite exhausting hiking.vacation behind me. Also sometimes I have the tendency to be a bit hypochondriac but I can't stop thinking about these occasional tingles. Do you think there is any chance it is a DCS? Thank you!

disclaimer: I'm just a diver, not a doctor so what follows is useless information if you are trying to self-diagnose the tingling in your arm.

That said, I think the probability of it being DCS is as close to zero as you can get without it being zero. If you got the bends from that profile then you would be the first one I've ever heard of.

The gear is heavy and maybe you put it on awkwardly and strained a muscle or something along those lines. Also, DCS is usually not associated with "mild tingling". It's usually (about 75%) associated with joint and muscle pain that patients usually describe as an "ache" that can vary in intensity up the scale from mild but noticeable to severe depending on how bad it is. Most of the descriptions I've ever heard have described pain the joints and muscles around the shoulders, elbows and lower back.

For a more complete description of the signs and symptoms, check out this website. Signs and Symptoms of DCS | Decompression Sickness - DAN Health & Diving

If you're still in doubt then you can phone the number at the bottom of that page and talk to an expert.

R..

 

[Superlyte27]

I would bet all of my dive gear that you don't have DCS with the profile you listed.

 

[msinc]

I would n't bet any of my dive gear on anything...but then I like it all too much. I have bone spurs in my neck and get the tingling arm thing. Sometimes it's the weightlessness of diving that gets it stirred up. It is worth looking into, because it can be helped and corrected if that is the case. They told me it also gets aggravated by the way I sleep and recommended a different pillow. There is also this thing called TOS...thoracic outlet syndrome. It's the way you are made and it too can be corrected with surgery. It can be a lot of things, but as above very extremely doubtful it is not DCS....definitely see your doctor.

 

[Neilwood]

I, like the others above, doubt it is DCS but only a doctor can confirm that.

My guess would be, due to the weight of the gear, you have possibly tweaked a nerve and that is what is causing the tingling.

 

[GreggS]

Yeah, have to agree with everyone else that it is as unlikely you have DCS as you are to sprout wings. Not saying either is impossible, just improbable. As for the surgery, I had knee surgery on June 9th of this year and was diving again before the end of the month with no ill effects. And that was just before my 62nd birthday. So, as they told you at the dive center, that should not be a problem. You don't state your age but I get the impression you are younger than me. Younger is usually better for rebounding from surgery and injury.

Otherwise, whatever is causing the tingling in your arm, I hope your experience was a pleasant one and that you will continue to pursue diving. It is an extremely fun and relaxing activity. Taking the certification courses will cover DCS and other situations you need to be aware of while diving in more detail than a discover scuba orientation will. Just pay attention and commit it to memory, then practice the skills. You should be fine.

 

[Bob DBF]

Now couple of hours later I feel some mild tingling in my left arm that comes and goes.

I had some of that after a three day live-aboard and my doctor had me in that day for a heart workup. I was OK, it was muscle pain from the way I was handeling the gear, it was just in an inopportune place for him to sort out symptoms over the phone. I always chat with my Doc about new aches and pains as, at my age, it could actually be something.



Bob