A bend or not a bend

[sanpaul]

First dive of the year. Quite enjoyable to remind ones self what water is for. Very shallow 11.0 metre, nice profile, no rapid ascents, no problems. So I thought. Water temp 4C. After 36 minutes, cold, very cold, infact excruitingly cold. Numb fingers, uncontrollable shivers, difficultly in formulating words. Humm!!!!!. Two cups of tea from kind Holborough lake chap (Martin) and sensation was beginnning to re emerge in fingers. Off to the pub for a non alcoholic beverage and a meal. Approx 2.5hrs later a short drive home. Oh poo, ache in my right hip, real deep ache. Not on the side of an old injury (left) in a totally new place. Bend, no - not posssibe, not deep enough. Home, still aching. Now I have tingling in fingers. Oh deep poo, denial, bend, denial, bend, so it goes on. Retire to bed for a couple of hours, no better. Eventually call Royal Navy doctor and speak to a very nice Fiona, well, we discuss everything except my bust measurement. Very through, how deep, how long, fit, fat, thin, hydrated, age, weight, profile, exersizes with legs to ascertain injury, Result:- Not a bend. Deep sigh of relief. Top marks Royal Navy Doctors

[Morag]

Well done for making the call, and I'm glad you are OK.

It is pretty shallow to get bent, but it wouldn't be the first time. I know of someone who got choppered off after 40 minutes under Swanage Pier.

The cold water temp makes everything different, from your body's ability to offgas, and the effects of narcosis.

[Scuba Diva]

Glad it was all okay for you.

[HP]

The Duty Diving Medical Officer (DDMO) service is 24/7 - totally free and no question is too stupid or too "paranoid"

07831 151523

Phone it in

[ratcliffe]

I'll bet quite a high percentage of members on here have rung the diving doc a time or two. I have called them twice, once for information and once because I was getting very worried at some symptoms which turned out to not be anything.
Very polite, and very used to people ringing up and starting conversations with "I'm sorry for wasting your time but...."

[Fraz]

Good to hear that you weren't bent. But certainly there are cases of the bends from ten meters, and like Morag said cold water can increase your chances of having a bend.

Fraz

[sanpaul]

Despite thinking I was a fool at the time to make that call I was glad I did.

[Neil M]

Despite thinking I was a fool at the time to make that call I was glad I did.

no such thing as a daft question.....

[scubarb]

So what actually is the cause of all these bend-like symptoms?

[davebarber]

How the hell will I know if I get a bend?

Even before I get in the water:

I have aching ankles and wrists.
Currently a sore big toe joint.
A dodgy neck.
Currently a sore elbow and hip.

Get visual disturbances (aural migraine)
Speech problems - stammer.

At the weekend over did the decorating and strained my back and shoulders.

This aint going to be easy detecting a bend !