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Charlie - Where is your first deco stop on these dives? What mix are you diving and are you doing deep stops in addition to the slow ascent? (And how slow is "slow"?) The "sleepys" -- a/k/a unusual or extreme fatigue -- are a classical symptom of subclinical DCS. They're also brought on by core body heat loss (both independently and as a contributing factor to mild DCS), which is why you've noticed such a difference diving dry. Before I started adding deep stops to all my dives and using trimix for intermediate range diving, I used to get them as well. Rather than do your last deco stop in your car with 100% oxygen -- which is only an after the fact treatment -- you should modify your dive plan to prevent the onset of condition. Get back to the basics: 1. Start your deep stops deeper or add a few minutes if you're already doing them deep. 2. Double check your dive plan against tables produced by Decom or gradient factor deco modeling software like the program designed by Mat Bloedorn. Mat is on the list and his software is a very good tool and available for download. 3. Watch your mix. If you're diving past 100', consider a light trimix. 4. Wear more thermal protection than you think you need, including a light hood. Heat loss is insidious and quick. 4. Make sure you're well hydrated. 5. Improve your fitness (if it's a factor) or reduce your stress level (I find I'm more tired after dives when I'm stressed either by equipment, improper conditioning, or outside factors) Most of this is obvious, but I find that the more difficult the dive, the more important the basics become. As for the effects of altitude, unless my topography is way off, I don't see any significant heights around Atlanta that would make it a significant factor. What's your max elevation on the drive home? Best - Bill On11/22/99 9:42 AM, Charles Ayash wrote: >I have a recent concern about driving to altitude after dives >generally the ones to the 100 mark +-. and bt of 60-80 min. >I use a ppO2 1.4 on these dives and do slow ascents and >Deco on 100% at pp02 1.6 > >I will referance Tables and round up the EAD's and then for Deco I will >also go to the next greater time/depth deco factors. > >Now when coupled with drysuit I feel really great after the dives. >But when I dive wet or my cheap suit leaks, well the feeling >is just not the same. > >Problems I face when driving back to Atlanta after these dives >are a bit of the sleepys, or at times old injuries are kinda >remembered. > >This only happens when I have to make an imediate return to Atlanta. > >I am thinking that after the surface Deco and all the gear is stowed, >to just get on 02 and reinstate a deco while driving to futher enhance >the off gasing of N2. > >The 70' +- dives do not give me this problem and I do compensate my >Decos based on the Dry /Wet Factors and for depth considerations. > >Also I am wondering what are accecptable Surface Breathing times for 02?
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