Subclinical DCS

[JohnK]

Nice one Ben - good article with logical conclusions even if its not pure science.

Another to put on my list of things to do !!!!!

[JohnK]

Following the advice given in earlier posts, I did a couple of dives to 18m in Cape - water temp 6`C. Felt great when I got home and even went out for a couple of lemonades.

So what did I do different??

1.  Used a Nitrox 36 mix
2.  Slowed ascents right down and extended safety stop time from 3 to 5 mins

Whether its psychological or not I dont know, but it worked - had much more energy left (even a little bit for Mrs K)

Time will tell

[MATTBIN]

Just to throw a spanner in the works, went to Stoney yesterday without my son did 2 dives (36/38 mins) to the 22m and 21m (Av 17/16m respectively) with a somewhat short SI (just over the hour) which according to the tables was no-no. Nice gentle dives though, no rush, no stress, nice slow ascents felt OK afterwards, although had an earlyish start. Got home felt fine, little or no tiredness. So a completely relaxed day and nice evening even though the profiles should have slaughtered me by comparison to previous dive profiles. What does it all mean - buggered if I know!
Matt

[daz]

It means that sometimes it is good to just get away from it all ;)

Seriously, I don't know Matt,  I went to Vobster yesterday with a couple of mates, still getting over a cold, using Sudafed (No lectures please anyone).  Took it very easy nice gentle dives, stopped at the pub for a couple of shandies
:boozer:

How did I feel ??

Much better.  I feel 100% today.  If the coast does not pick up I think I will be up for Stoney on the 19th.

Darren

[MATTBIN]

I'm up there on the 19th with my son and a couple of mates, let me know if you are going and we'll meet if you want.
Whats Vobster like, you have done a trip report havent you?
Matt

[Dr Stevil]

Phew! will have to read Ben's posting at home, that'll take up half the working day!

It just occured to me earlier that there is a fairly simple hypothesis supporting tiredness as a sub-clinical DCI/DCS symtom: If we're carrying extra N2 in our system then this will hinder the amount of O2 we can carry disolved in the plasma (as distinct from the haemoglobin bound O2), therefore the decrease in O2 should be insufficient to be a serious hypoxia factor but possibly sufficient that muscular tissues will detect, and be affected by, the reduction in available O2. The haemoglobin will be unlikely to respond to reduced O2 under these subDCI/DCS conditions as its normal action is to dump its O2 where it is needed when it encounters an acidic pH shift (Bohr shift), as a result of dissolved CO2
Chee-az
Steve