I ended up at A&E for assessment as i wasn't sure when i rang up the chamber that i was bent, and nor was the duty diving doctor. As i had a few mild symptoms he asked me to go to my local A&E on o2 for assessment but as this was about 45mins away, and the chamber only 90mins he asked me to go to the A&E at the hospital next door to the chamber, as he felt he'd either have to speak to the local A&E staff, or see me anyway...
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| Originally Posted by dlegros Did you inform the receptionist/assessment nurse that you had been diving? |
Yes - but this did cause a bit of confusion - as i had been driven to the hospital by diving friends, they went to go and book me in and were told i had to book in myself, fine, ok but i'd have to bring my o2 with me as i didn't really want to come off it, ah but you can't walk round reception with o2. Well call the dive doctor and let them know we're here - no we can't do that till you've booked in - eventually the receptionist came out to the car to book me in!
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| Originally Posted by dlegros If so, did you suggest DCI? |
Yes, i'd had a profound episode of paresis of my left arm which had pretty much convinced me that i was bent, especially as it improved so markedly on o2.
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| Originally Posted by dlegros Did you have a diver card (the one about DCI with treatment and warnings)? |
Yes, but it was not neccessary as we were at the hospital next door to the chamber and it had been arranged for the dive doc to meet us there.
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| Originally Posted by dlegros Did they take this on board and commence you on DCI first aid (lay down on a trolley and on O2)? |
Yes, once the dive doc arrived, before this i was sat outside in the car on high percentage nitrox, as i wasn't allowed to take this in with me and they wouldn't commence treatment without his say so.
i was laid down and given o2 straight away once the dive doc arrived, with a nurse in continuous attendance
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| Originally Posted by dlegros Did they contact RN Duty Doctor/DDRC? |
Was the A&E next door to DDRC so the dive doc came over to assess me
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| Originally Posted by dlegros Any other info you think may be of use as someone who has been through it - what can we as general A&E staff do better for divers? |
I think its very difficult as you see such a wide range of symptoms to say you should be able to recognise the symptoms and signs of DCI, which will be rare at most a&E depts, and most things are going to be treated as if they are the more common possibility - common things being common!
i would say it would be nice if the training we receive as divers/buddies could give us the confidence not to take no for an answer till a dive doc has been involved in the process!
My other comment would be that from a personal point of view i was scared witless at the time - its scary to lose control over your body, and the level of shock (as well as the DCI problems) was amazing to me looking back. I did give up some responsibility of myself to my buddies who got me to the A&E and the chamber. But it did give me an insight into how important it is to get the right assessment and the right treatment.
Any other questions please ask!