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[CLIP! Info on an OWI class] >after a dive which was neither very deep nor >very long (sorry, they weren't more specific). >After approx. 1/2 hour, she started to get dizzy, >got a headache, and just a few minutes later she >lost consciousness. I guess that this is just a bit of a question. If these training dives are similar to the dives that we have undergone in the course of our training (ie. <30 fsw), it seems to me that it would be difficult for the diver to experience DCS, particularly when dives were not long nor deep. What about the possibility of an embolism. I realize that embolism symptoms have a rapid onset, but if the class was studying 'slow ascents' would it not be possible for a small bubble or small bubbles to make their way through alveoli ruptured during these exercises, particularly if they were repeated. I don't know about her (the diver), but I tend to get congested when I get cold (hence my occasional use of decongestants to ensure clear air passages). Would it sound plausible that she embolized? [CLIP! Details of the logistical difficulties involved in extrication] >diagnosis: paralyzed from the waste down, problems > with her right arm and not able to speak. Is this common when the DCS victim is not recompressed shortly after the incident? >after treatment in the chamber for several days, she >stayed in the hospital for 1 month. After that, she >had to learn to walk and talk again. They had scans >(CT-scans ?) showing brain damage before and after >treatment. Although residual damage was small on the >last scan 6 months later she had not recovered >completely and it was expected that she will always >have some speech/walking problems. >Why did this happen? Unfortunately, the program didn't >provide very detailed information, but they mentioned >the class was doing exercises on slow ascents and they >did multiple shallow dives. The water temperature was >approx 25C (78F). No indications of bad physical shape, >no others divers experiencing the same problems. >You can get DCS starting with minor symptoms, leading >to major problems. One can get DCS on shallow dives >where everyone else has no problem at all. In my mind, it seems that most of the incidents of DCS related by the people involved in this mailing list showed less severe symptoms than this diver did. Also, if a number of multiple shallow dives were made, and the water was warm (ie. little temperature stress as long as the divers didn't overheat), wouldn't it seem that this was a case of embolism? I'd appreciate being set straight if I'm way off. Cheers, Pete St. Onge
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