Bent or not? The incident pit and why iys never just one thing.

[MATTBIN]

Dive 2 Sunday 25th Feb Stoney was supposed to be a wiz round the 6m shelf being dragged behind a scooter, game plan was about 20minutes with Gary and Rob (cheers for the use/experience by the way). So I kitted up in my twin 12's 100b in one and 150b in the other, plenty of gas. 6m shelf by the Nautilus etc, so no need for a torch or smb, which I always carry, but not this time, therein lies lesson 1, I was also using a double layer of underwear for the first time in the drysuit I always wear but had just got back from being repaired. As we attached the scooters Rob mentioned we'd be doing the chopper and the Staney then ascending back up the wall, be sure to use light signals, of course at this point I realised my torch was back in the car and they all had light sabres, good. Gary was told to get behind me and we were instructed how to use the scooters. We all set off, or more accurately they did, mine wouldnt start, the trigger was locked off. I worked that out and away I went, stayed in rough contact, Gary (and myself) were having a little difficulty in controlling the scooters.

The dive went well enough we eventually all made contract on the way to the Staney. After a few circuits of that I realised I was again alone, I thought I might ascend off the back end of the boat, up the bouy line as I hadnt got my smb (lesson 2). I decided to go for the wall by following the chain. I got to the wall and realised I was having bouyancy issues (more extra lead required - lesson 3). The scooter was slightly possitively bouyant and having clipped it off to my chest D ring as instructed i felt it float off behind me, I was immediately hit by cramp in both legs and couldnt fin down or dump gas quick enough, the Suunto screamed a "SLOW", although I did look at the bubbles around me and I wasnt ascending "that" quickly. I missed my safety stop, I had been diving Nitrox, 21m max 20min dive so I was fairly comfortable in thinking this was a nuisance rather than anything serious.

Of course what I should have done is powered down to the floor of the cove grabbed a few rocks, tied off the scooter to my smb and floated up in a controlled manner, except I didnt have my smb, or ascended the line off the Staney and held on so as not to ascend too quickly. Or have done a proper weight check, or only done the 6m shelf, or called the dive as I wasnt that happy about doing the Staney with a scooter. More lessons learnt.

During the drive home I experienced some pain in my right upper shoulder, I'm 52 I always have aches and pains, buy I also felt very tired, sub clinical DCS I reckon. Got home had my tea, felt fine apart from aforementioned symptoms, couldnt do the one legged balance test, then again not sure if I ever could. Had a shower and noticed a mark on my right shoulder, bruising from the harness as I had swung my kit off after dives 1 & 2. Got up Monday morning, not hungry, a very odd situation for me and a banging headache, had some breakfast but felt very naseaus (sp?), Got to work and looked at the dive profile, several ascent warnings during the dive, presumably as I had whipped around the back of the Staney and over the hold. Hmmm...... gave St Johns Wood Hyperbaric a call (Capital Hyperbarics) as I work in Paddington (about 20mins away). Come on down.....

Bottom line - checked me over and they doubt its anything but glad I called in, wife has had tummy bug, I have been rebuilding Dad's kitchen, lots of muscle strain.

But what really became obvious during our chat was the fine line that sometimes presents itself between a bend and no bend, obvious ones are obvious some others are not and the Doc was very tempted to pot me but on balance decided against it. So if in doubt get your arse down there and do see if you can do the test before you have to see if you can do them in front of teh Doc. He really felt it important in bordeline cases that people know what is their baseline situation, its no good trying the balance test and falling over unless you know that is 'normal' for you anyway.

Matt

ps - I'm at home now 24hr tummy bug, feeling sick and not hungry, still, at least I'm not bent.

[Steve S]

Glad you are ok mate and thanks for posting the make that call message.

Hope you on your feet and back to it soon.

Safe diving,
Steve

[Dave Crampton]

I'm glad to hear your not bent. Get well soon.

Dave Josie & Cameron.

[Buoyant Babe]

Thanks for sharing this - wise words we should all take heed of. To my knowledge I've never been bent but would I just dismiss it if I felt a little odd* after a dive? I'd like to think not, but who knows? The more I read posts like yours giving advice, the more I'd like to think I'd be sensible if it ever came to it.

Helen xxx

*Some would argue I am always a 'little odd'

[Boat Elf]

Glad to hear you're ok and wise to check your symptoms out.

Just wanted to check - isn't it London Diving Chamber that's based in St John's Wood?

[Woz]

Good lessons learned here that everyone can learn from. Certainly when trying out new kit I only ever change 1 thing at a time- so if I was going to have a go on a scooter it would be in bog-standard kit. My theory is you have enough things to worry about with the new bit of kit without wondering about your basic life-support stuff.

As for the bendy bit, knowing how you should feel after a days diving is important, as is the no.1 rule of Woz Diving... never ever struggle with your kit. Don't be too proud to ask for help. If you can do it in a pathetic flappy limp wristed way saying "muhh" and looking helpless then even better.

[MATTBIN]

Originally Posted by Boat Elf

Glad to hear you're ok and wise to check your symptoms out.

Just wanted to check - isn't it London Diving Chamber that's based in St John's Wood?

It is, but also known as Capital Hyperbarics (Grove Rd.)

Matt

[John Gulliver]

Hm, interesting, and a bit frightening. Glad to hear all turned out to be well, Matt.

[tom]

I don't know. He goes for one dive without me and look what happens

Seriously though, glad you're OK Matt; good call on making the call.

[SoggyFox]

Originally Posted by Buoyant Babe

*Some would argue I am always a 'little odd'

never thought of you as a a little odd but do think your a little kranky at times.

wise words Matt.