breathing problem - need help

[romdz]

My dive buddy is experiencing the following problem:
During the dive and the descent everything is perfectly ok. As soon as he reaches the depth of around 70 ft, however, he begins having breathing problems. After ascending above 70 ft again, everything goes back to normal.

Some points to consider:
1. He is an experienced diver. He has over 100 dives logged, diving 4 times per year.
2. The problem developed suddenly. He has previously dived at depths of 120-130 ft without experiencing any problems.
3. He is 43 years old and appears to be in good health. After having some heart tests done (stress, nuclear), the results came back normal. His cholesterol and blood pressure are slightly high, but still not too bad.
4. We eliminated the regulator (apex-200) as a reason. The 2 of us switched regulators between dives, only for him to continue experiencing this problem. I was fine.

Does anyone have and ideas as to what it could possibly be? Thanks.

Rom

 

[mgersch@cox.net]

Interesting
How many times has this happened?
How long has it been since your buddy was at this depth without problems?
What are the "breathing problems" he develops?
Has he been seen by a physician AFTER these problems have developed?

Sounds like you buddy needs to be seen by an MD who specializes in dive medicine, and probabley should not dive until he is evaluated.

I will be interested to hear what the medical moderators have to say on this.

-Mike
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This information is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advise.

 

[Fitzy]

Do you mean he has been diving for 25 yrs and 4 dives per year?

1. He is an experienced diver. He has over 100 dives logged, diving 4 times per year.

Seems that when he gets to a certian depth (certain pressure group on his body) it becomes uncomfortable for him.

I agree with mike, a definate visit to a specialist dive doctor who has good knowledge on how pressure effects his body.

 

[DocVikingo]

.... but based on the information to date I rather doubt that it is directly pressure-related in nature.

Nonetheless, this individual certainly should be evaluated by a physician expert in diving medicine and I also am keenly interested in the findings.

Best regards.

DocVikingo