DCS Question Please Help!

[Gonzxor]

Alright, I'm pretty much freaking myself out.

During my final OW dive with my instructor we were going for a swim. I looked at him just to check where he was, and as I started to do so I started to float up. I didnt realize it at all at first, and before I knew it I was going fast. I should have dumped air, but I instead grabbed my SPG Computer to check my depth. It was blinking. Thats when I just hummed all my air out. Almost at the surface, I ran out of air in my lungs, took another breathe and continued. I was definitely less than 30 feet, probably around 20-25 feet, but I reached it FAST. My max depth that dive was 40 feet, but not for long because its below the thermocline (30feet) which is freezing. I cant find my log book right now, so I dont know the exact time how long the dive was but im diving 80cf tank at 3000 psi. I would guess absolute max 45 minutes since I use alot of air.

Now based on the PADI Charts, its impossible to get dcs even if the dive was way longer than 45 min. So basically my question is, is it possible to get DCS without going past the tables, even if you come up fast...

 

[fmerkel]

DCS is a 'probability' thing. The tables and computers are set up to minimize this to an extremely low level. To get the bends you have to have enough N2 on board to bubble. On an OW1 dive you will be too shallow and not down long enough to have any appreciable N2 on board.That's not to encourage a fast ascent, but it's simply not very likely.

OTOH, if you hold your breath on a 30' ascent you can get AGE (arterial gas embolism). By exhaling, even inhaling you kept your airway open with prevents that. If you did get AGE you would not be typing this panicked message. You'd be in the hospital.

Lesson learned, eh?

 

[Jack Hammer]

Yes, it's statistically possible, however the odds are low. Do you have pain or other symptoms? Have you called DAN? That's who you should be asking.

 

[Gonzxor]

Yes, it's statistically possible, however the odds are low. Do you have pain or other symptoms? Have you called DAN? That's who you should be asking.

It was awhile ago, but I did have quite a abit of symptons, but maybe Im just anxious and alright. I have no joint pain however.

 

[Gonzxor]

DCS is a 'probability' thing. The tables and computers are set up to minimize this to an extremely low level. To get the bends you have to have enough N2 on board to bubble. On an OW1 dive you will be too shallow and not down long enough to have any appreciable N2 on board.That's not to encourage a fast ascent, but it's simply not very likely.

OTOH, if you hold your breath on a 30' ascent you can get AGE (arterial gas embolism). By exhaling, even inhaling you kept your airway open with prevents that. If you did get AGE you would not be typing this panicked message. You'd be in the hospital.

Lesson learned, eh?

Im not worried about embolism. Im worried about dcs. I do have quite a bit of symptoms, but it seems so far off to even get dcs....

 

[PfcAJ]

Im not worried about embolism. Im worried about dcs. I do have quite a bit of symptoms, but it seems so far off to even get dcs....

What symptoms? How long ago?

 

[Gonzxor]

What symptoms? How long ago?

Month and half ago, I know its crazy.
Muscle fatique
Some tingly in my fingers (not all the time)
Headache

I mean, I just want to point out. Im freaking out, and I might just be coming up with these symptoms.

 

[fmerkel]

Well, at a month an a half you are WAY WAY WAY too far down the road to do anything at all about it.
You have anxiety. It's amazing what it can do. I popped from 85 feet due to losing a weight belt (35#). The dive had only been about 5" long. I spent the next 4 hours worrying about it. I could focus on every injury I had ever done myself in the past and they all had blinking red lights on them. I finally called DAN. Same as you, Since I was making the call I didn't have AGE, and I certainly didn't have DCS since you just can't get enough N2 on board in 5" to bubble. But as a newbie you don't know what you don't know.

One of the main symptoms of DCS.....denial. I'd say you have that in abundance and it's turned into worry.
Let it go, move on, don't do it again.

If you need a Dr. to tell you this by all means call DAN.

 

[Gonzxor]

Well, at a month an a half you are WAY WAY WAY too far down the road to do anything at all about it.
You have anxiety. It's amazing what it can do. I popped from 85 feet due to losing a weight belt (35#). The dive had only been about 5" long. I spent the next 4 hours worrying about it. I could focus on every injury I had ever done myself in the past and they all had blinking red lights on them. I finally called DAN. Same as you, Since I was making the call I didn't have AGE, and I certainly didn't have DCS since you just can't get enough N2 on board in 5" to bubble.

One of the main symptoms of DCS.....denial. I'd say you have than in abundance and it's turned into worry.
Let it go, move on, don't do it again.

If you need a Dr. to tell you this by all means call DAN.

Thanks, thats what I needed. I needed to really know, is it still worth it to get treatment. Its crazy how your mind plays tricks on you.

 

[fmerkel]

I hope you never have DCS. If you think you ever actually do you really really don't want to spend even hours before seeking treatment, let alone days, weeks, or months.
Think of it this way, it's and injury. It can be anything from a minor injury, to a life threatening catastrophic one. If you broke your arm would you wait 6 weeks to have something done about it? Properly treated it can heal up in 6 weeks.
The faster you get on top of DCS the faster it can be resolved with less likelihood of lasting damage.

Example-someone I know had done a deep dive, was driving home, and an hour and a half after the dive was over found he was becoming paralyzed on one side while driving. He pulled over and called Emergency Response. When they came they put him on O2 and the paralysis disappeared very rapidly. He still needed hyperbaric treatment, but he set the reversal of the DCS in motion very promptly.