A Very White Complexion....??

[Roobydoo]

I have recently started doing accelerated deco dives after qualifying Adv Nitrox. After switching gas to 50% for the deco and exiting the water, I have been told that I look "very white" and "unwell".

The dives so far have been planned and conservative in their outcome, with only 10 mins or so deco, and all in a controlled environment. I have not felt unwell - knackered maybe due to heightened awareness and new skill sets to perform, but certainly not unwell.

What could cause the "whiteness"? I would have thought that enhanced O2 would have caused a more pink complexion due to the higher oxygenated blood... Any advice or observations?

Thanks in advance

Steve

[Dr Stevil]

Judging someone's complexion is a purely subjective call, so I personally wouldn't worry unless you feel unwell, which you've said you don't.

We dive in cold water so you'd expect faces to look pale. Certainly I can't think of a situation where increased pp02 would have the opposite effect of that which we all know of ie as you say more redness in your complexion.
I'd only really be concerned if there was another negative indicator ie you felt unwell in someway - headaches, nausea, dizziness or your lips became "cherry red".

The Diving Emergency Handbook (below) lists: heat exhaustion, hypothermia and shock as diving related conditions which may result in pale skin
HTH
Steve

[Roobydoo]

Thanks for that - I have that publication and didn't really find anything to possibly explain the "whitey from Blighty".. Hence the general question.


I am not overly concerned, as you rightly point out, complexion can differ between peeps quite dramatically, and afterall, the water temp is starting to drop. I was merely inquisitive as to what may cause it.

Thanks for taking the time to respond.

Steve

[TerryH]

Originally Posted by Roobydoo

I have recently started doing accelerated deco dives after qualifying Adv Nitrox. After switching gas to 50% for the deco and exiting the water, I have been told that I look "very white" and "unwell".

The dives so far have been planned and conservative in their outcome, with only 10 mins or so deco, and all in a controlled environment. I have not felt unwell - knackered maybe due to heightened awareness and new skill sets to perform, but certainly not unwell.

What could cause the "whiteness"? I would have thought that enhanced O2 would have caused a more pink complexion due to the higher oxygenated blood... Any advice or observations?

Thanks in advance

Steve

How many "ordinary" dives have you done?
How many standard air deco dives have you done?
How many single mix deco dives have you done?

If there isnt any progression and you go straight into accelerated deco
then your body may be telling you things that the books dont.

Remember deco is NOT an exact sceince. You can get bent on a 20m
air dive. So I'd stop right now and do more progression.

TerryH

[Conor]

Also, if you are new to it and feeling stressed or anxious as a result, or are not eating properly before the exursion you may have the same affect.

[Helen F H]

The main physiological cause for a pale complexion is lack of blood in the capilleries under the skin.

This can be caused by a few things:

Low blood pressure - the blood is directed to the core, hence when someone faints they go all pale as the body switches the "shunts" on which diverts the blood away from the skin.

Cold - again linked to blood pressure. The body makes the blood go to the core to keep the body from losing excess heat. Again the shunt system is activated and the body diverts the blood back to the core.

Could it be that you are simply a bit colder on doing your deco hangs than normal, since hanging about doing nowt seems to make me freeze my bits off.

[aclivity]

Originally Posted by Steve W

I must get round to buying a copy of that book (and hide it so my mrs. doesn't read it!) but it always makes me laugh as it looks like the guy on the left has just slugged the other guy and he's knocked him out, whilst holding on very tight to something around the top end of his legs?

[Conor]

LOL, the old vinnie jones, grab him by the crotch and deck 'im routine

[Roobydoo]

Originally Posted by TerryH

How many "ordinary" dives have you done?
How many standard air deco dives have you done?
How many single mix deco dives have you done?

If there isnt any progression and you go straight into accelerated deco
then your body may be telling you things that the books dont.

Remember deco is NOT an exact sceince. You can get bent on a 20m
air dive. So I'd stop right now and do more progression.

TerryH

Very valid questions, Terry, and I do have a trail of progression from "ordinary" through to air deco and single mix deco, although not as many of the latter.

I recognise that deco is not an exact science, and agree with you. I think I will spend more time on appropriate single mix deco dives to build up.

An interesting angle to consider - thanks for your input.

Steve

[Helen F H]

http://www.phuket-underwater-adventu...n_toxicity.htm

Try looking here if you are worried about the nitrox factor