Hi all -
First time diver and brand new to the board.
I apologize for posting this in this forum if it is not appropriate.
I have a question regarding some weird physical sensations I have experienced after my 2nd and 3rd OW cert dives.
For background, I have completed the classroom/theory/tests along with all the confined dives. I initially started out with the DSD dive so I had already completed OW cert dive #1.
Yesterday I completed OW cert dives #2 and #3 without incident and I finished at approximately 2:00pm. Both dives were no deeper than 40 ft - the first was approximately 38 minutes and the second was about 45 minutes with a one-hour interval break. Did slow ascent with divemaster along with prescribed saftey stop at 15ft.
All was well until about 10:00pm last night when I fell asleep - and awoke with that strange sensation you have when your limbs are asleep but your mind is awake. After finally waking up, my body started waking up but my forearms and hands still felt "tired" with a slight tingling feeling. This went on until midnight night at which point I started getting a bit nervous and admittedly freaked myself out. Checked the web and my OW manual for DCI/DCS symptoms, as it was the only thing I could think of giving my extremely limited experience level. I ended up getting myself a bit worked up and anxious and really couldn't get myself back to sleep (maybe slept about 2 hours all night).
I called a friend of mine who accompanied me on the dive (he is OW certified and very experienced) and explained to him the situation and my concerns. In the absence of any other DCI/DCS symptoms he was of the opinion that as a new diver I was adjusting to normal fatigue, etc associated with diving and although I should monitor not be overly concerned.
I was scheduled to complete the 4th OW cert dive today and I called the divemaster early in the morning to cancel. I explained to him what had occurred and my concerns about going out again today. He had no problem with my not going given the lack of sleep, general tiredness, and current conditions. His assessment was that based upon the dives-depth-time,etc (he was with me the entire time) that I shouldn't be overly concerned with DCI/DCS given my symptoms. His opinion was that as I new diver, my body was not used to adjusting to passing the nitrogen and that each diver's physiology is different/reacts differently. He said that it is not uncommon for divers to get that "sleepy" feeling in the hands/arms and feel a certain level of fatigue when first starting out. He advised me to avoid any caffeine/alcohol/carbonated beverages and drink a tremendous amount of water to help flush the system.
I had a couple of huge glasses of water right away and felt alot better within an hour. I am still tired an my arms feel a bit "sleepy" but given I really only had 2 hours of sleep after an active day that may not be weird.
Anyway, not asking for anyone's medical advice, but just looking to confirm that the above experience is not out of the norm and I have received prudent advice from the divemaster and my friend. I certainly feel much better now and if I am active or pre-occupied my hands feel fine - other than that I feel fine.
Thanks in advance from hopefully just an overcautious (and not paranoid!!!) new diver!!!
First time diver and brand new to the board.
I apologize for posting this in this forum if it is not appropriate.
I have a question regarding some weird physical sensations I have experienced after my 2nd and 3rd OW cert dives.
For background, I have completed the classroom/theory/tests along with all the confined dives. I initially started out with the DSD dive so I had already completed OW cert dive #1.
Yesterday I completed OW cert dives #2 and #3 without incident and I finished at approximately 2:00pm. Both dives were no deeper than 40 ft - the first was approximately 38 minutes and the second was about 45 minutes with a one-hour interval break. Did slow ascent with divemaster along with prescribed saftey stop at 15ft.
All was well until about 10:00pm last night when I fell asleep - and awoke with that strange sensation you have when your limbs are asleep but your mind is awake. After finally waking up, my body started waking up but my forearms and hands still felt "tired" with a slight tingling feeling. This went on until midnight night at which point I started getting a bit nervous and admittedly freaked myself out. Checked the web and my OW manual for DCI/DCS symptoms, as it was the only thing I could think of giving my extremely limited experience level. I ended up getting myself a bit worked up and anxious and really couldn't get myself back to sleep (maybe slept about 2 hours all night).
I called a friend of mine who accompanied me on the dive (he is OW certified and very experienced) and explained to him the situation and my concerns. In the absence of any other DCI/DCS symptoms he was of the opinion that as a new diver I was adjusting to normal fatigue, etc associated with diving and although I should monitor not be overly concerned.
I was scheduled to complete the 4th OW cert dive today and I called the divemaster early in the morning to cancel. I explained to him what had occurred and my concerns about going out again today. He had no problem with my not going given the lack of sleep, general tiredness, and current conditions. His assessment was that based upon the dives-depth-time,etc (he was with me the entire time) that I shouldn't be overly concerned with DCI/DCS given my symptoms. His opinion was that as I new diver, my body was not used to adjusting to passing the nitrogen and that each diver's physiology is different/reacts differently. He said that it is not uncommon for divers to get that "sleepy" feeling in the hands/arms and feel a certain level of fatigue when first starting out. He advised me to avoid any caffeine/alcohol/carbonated beverages and drink a tremendous amount of water to help flush the system.
I had a couple of huge glasses of water right away and felt alot better within an hour. I am still tired an my arms feel a bit "sleepy" but given I really only had 2 hours of sleep after an active day that may not be weird.
Anyway, not asking for anyone's medical advice, but just looking to confirm that the above experience is not out of the norm and I have received prudent advice from the divemaster and my friend. I certainly feel much better now and if I am active or pre-occupied my hands feel fine - other than that I feel fine.
Thanks in advance from hopefully just an overcautious (and not paranoid!!!) new diver!!!