So... I got the bends

[pressure tested]

Well, as the title suggets.....

It was fairly minor I believe as far as bends go at least, about 9 hours in total of recompression in a couple of stints. This was at the end of September, I have not even considered diving since, but now I really want to dive again.

I cannot seem to attach the actual profile but will try to give an idea of the profile:

15m from 0 to 8 mins

dropping to 38m in 2 mins

staying at 38m for 4 mins

slowly up to 20m about 3 min to get there (deepstop on computer) staying for 5 min (more than required).

Taking 3 min to get to 12m, staying there for 8 min

Then 5 mins at 9m

Then moving very slowly up to 6m staying there for 25min

I know this maybe isn't as good as an actual profile pic but I think it gives some idea.


It is an unexplained bend, what steps do I need to take to dive again, is it even recommendable to dive again, I know there will be people out there with knowledge in this sort of area, as some of you will have been there.

[deepestandy]

Originally Posted by pressure tested

It is an unexplained bend, what steps do I need to take to dive again, is it even recommendable to dive again, I know there will be people out there with knowledge in this sort of area, as some of you will have been there.

Sounds to me like a fairly serious dive that!

What did the people at the pot say, they would have probably given you a recommendation..? Either to layoff for a period of time or a referral to a diving doc. If you have been given the all clear just get back in the water and work yourself up to speed.

Andy

[Steve S]

Hi PT,

I'm no doctor but I am a recovering bender, if you were not given any specific instructions and just told to lay off diving for 6 weeks, then start back doing shallow build up dives on the richest nitrox mix you can get away with and build your confidence up. Also make sure you are well hydrated and avoid exertion pre/during/post dive.

However if you have any residual symptoms left over from you DCS then see a diving doctor first.

Good luck.

Safe diving,
Steve

[Eeyore]

Originally Posted by Steve S

Hi PT,

I'm no doctor but I am a recovering bender, if you were not given any specific instructions and just told to lay off diving for 6 weeks, then start back doing shallow build up dives on the richest nitrox mix you can get away with and build your confidence up. Also make sure you are well hydrated and avoid exertion pre/during/post dive.

However if you have any residual symptoms left over from you DCS then see a diving doctor first.

Good luck.

Safe diving,
Steve

me too

not too make light of the issue, as steve said, take your time, get a few shallow dives in & then take it from there....

good luck mate

[Janos]

Bends can be due to many reasons.

1) Sometimes people make mistakes
2) Sometimes there is an unknown reason (PFO, dehydrated, seasickness drugs)
3) Sometimes you're just unlucky!

If you're unsure, talk to a diving doctor. Either way, I would take it slowly at first, start shallow, and build up your confidence.

And remember: It's meant to be fun!

Janos

[Captain Deco]

Originally Posted by Steve S

Hi PT,I am a recovering bender
Steve

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[Garf]

do whatever the doctor saiud at the time. they gave me 6 weeks.

if not sure, phone them they always glad to help

[DevonDiver]

With any 'undeserved' bend, it may be worth getting a check for PFO. A quick glance at the BSAC Incident reports and the DAN Annual Reports will show many examples of well run dives that resulted in bends...normally with the closing comment that the diver in question was subsequently diagnosed and treated for PFO.

If PFO check is a negative, then just accept that sometimes we have a bad day. Maybe dehydrated, maybe too cold...or maybe something simpler....

Last year I did a 70m wreck dive with 25min bottom time. Me and my buddy completed the dive without incident - decompressing conservatively (according to Pro-Planner) using Nitrox32 and O2.

Immediately, upon leaving the water my buddy started coughing violently (a sort of asthmatic cough/choke). He peeled off his wetsuit to reveal a nasty skin bend that stretched from wrist to wrist and abdomen to neck. Within 5 minutes he was displaying weakness in the knee and gait alterations. This was followed by nausea and sleepiness....

He was treated on the boat with O2 for 4 hours, hydrated and closely monitored (by qualified Dive Medic Technician). Unfortunately, we were 18 hours from nearest land/chamber and diving in the Gulf of Thailand...so quick evacuation was a near impossibility. Luckily, the O2 treatment fully resolved his symptoms!

Following the incident, it was determined that the most likely cause for his bend was that he had been wearing his harness to tightly around the shoulders and that this would have prevented effective off-gassing from those limbs. As soon as he removed the harness post-dive, the nitrogen surged from the limbs into his torso.

I experienced no problems from this dive and, happily, my buddy was back in the water within a week.

[pressure tested]

Yeah thanks guys, the doctor at the chamber thought a PFO is unlikely as he said they are associated with people who have migraines. He also seemed to think snorkelling is a safe option and not to bother diving anymore. I didn't really think much about this or questioning it at the time, as I had very little desire to dive again, but now......

Knowing full well lots of people get DCI and dive again, I was wondering if there is any set procedure you go through. But it seems kind of random, I think I shall get hold of a diving doc later see what he says, if I need to be assesed or not.

[John63]

If it was me I would want to be assessed for a PFO. If nothing else, it takes away an element of doubt.

As has already been posted, many "undeserved / unexplained " hits are the result of PFO and the only doubt about a test that you have is the doctor who said that because you don't have migraines then there's no PFO.

Get the test, then decide about diving.

Note - this is a personal opinion. I am not medically qualified.

Cheers, John