Freediver Bent...

[Easdem]

Experts,

I was just watching 60 Minute Sports on Showtime. They had a story about a champion freediver who attempted to reach 800 fsw. He was successful, however, his ascent was fast. He ended up with a pretty severe case of neurological DCS with some bubbles in the brain (or at least some ischemia).

I didn´t know that there would be enough nitrogen is his lungs to be able cause such severe DCS... How does that work in this case?

Thanks!

 

[Dr Deco]

Hello Easdem:

Free Diving and DCS

There is a recordedcondition where free diving multiple times a day can result in DCS and iscalled “Taravana.” This occurs in the Tuamotu Archipelago inPolynesia, where free divers in the past made 40 to 60 dives a day to depths of100 to 140 feet to gather pearls

Lung Nitrogen

There is noquestion that the human adult lung contains sufficient nitrogen and this organis compressed during the dive. Nitrogen isnot very soluble, and this means it quickly will saturate the blood and some aqueoustissues. Considerable blood levels riseeither through multiple dives or through a single very deep dive.

Experiencehas shown that DCS can definitely result. Bubbles might arise in the tissues themselves or in the arterialcirculation and embolize some part of the spinal cord or brain. This is not theoretical; it is experiencefrom the field.

Dr Deco :doctor:

 

[DocVikingo]

http://archive.rubicon-foundation.o...e/123456789/6010/SPUMS_V29N3_3.pdf?sequence=1

Regards,

DocVikingo