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To: shelps@ac*.ma*.ad*.ed*.au* (prime rat)
Subject: Re: PFO and Doppler
From: Carl G Heinzl <heinzl@wi*.en*.de*.co*>
Cc: techdiver@opal.com
Cc: heinzl@wi*.en*.de*.co*
Date: Tue, 6 Sep 94 13:12:02 EDT
>I do not think that two sets of tables are called for either.  People dive
>for years without an episode of DCI, then one day they get a 'hit'.  Which
>set of (comercially available) tables should you use anyway?

I think that there are two mechanisms involved here.

#1) The person who dives for years without a hit and one day gets bent
can *probably* trace it back to a discernable reason that elevated his
exposure - i.e. he was tired, not as well hydrated as he should have been,
etc. etc.  Even if they cannot trace it back to a single or set of reasons
that would have preciptated the hit, I still maintain that most likely 
*something* they did increased their suceptibility and, as a rule, they 
were/are not likely to get hit.

#2) The person that gets an undeserved hit much closer to the beginning
of their career and/or repeatedly gets small hits, especially what we
would term as "undeserved" hits (i.e. nothing occurred in the history
leading up to the dive (whether we can find it or not) that would have 
increased their suceptability and they were within appropriate dive limits).  
I believe that this is much more likely a physiological issue that has 
raised this individuals suceptability to DCS.

So, what can raise the susceptability to DCS.  Of course, we all know that 
PFO can *potentially* raise the suceptability.  The other standard
conditions that are often mentioned are age, weight (although I don't believe 
this one), cold, exertion, violating tables, too fast an ascent, etc.

Are two sets of tables required, I don't believe so, BUT, there are
already a LOT of different tables out there.  Many dives doable on one set
of tables are not doable on another.  For square profiles, computers
are often more conservative than tables!

Perhaps, one day, when we fully understand DCS and its causes, things
will be different, and divers will be able to dive custom tables
determined by their own physiology.

-Carl-

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