johndiver999
Contributor
For me, in situations where a person who is bent and we know that they did not do something crazy, like an explosive ascent or missed a bunch of deco and the problem is pain, then the option for immediate re-descent is something that seems less crazy to me - as I see examples of resolutions.So you conducted a neuro exam on yourself? How long you gonna stay under there solo on high ppO2s? You're assessing, deciding on a 'treatment plan' self treating, and self monitoring - all while injured AND on top of that you're alone in the ocean. Lay on the deck and get yourself on surface O2 after calling the coast guard to get you outa there to proper care.
In the last year, I've seen re-descents with normal 34-36% nitrox and resolution of pain and symptoms. I assume that if a diver descends with no pain it is an omitted decompression and if thy have symptoms then it should be called IWR. If they redescend with a little pain and it resolves in 10 minutes, what do we call that?
After ANY dive, every diver does a self assessment of their neurological condition and how they feel. so the concept of self assessment after a dive does not seem so outlandish to me.
If a diver feels bad, goes back down until they feel better, comes up slow and then gets up and feels fine, I'm not so sure that EMS needs to be activated. Especially if, afterwards, they can sip oxygen on the boat while they contemplate the error of their ways.
The problem I have seen with activation of EMS is that it can take hours before recompression takes place and that does not always generate desirable outcomes. If the accident is in a remote location, a chamber might be a long, long way away.
BTW, a solo diver, in a remote location, could activate EMS and then re-descend and do some of his waiting underwater.