Barotrauma after first open water dive?

[Joneill]

Hey divers,

I just had my first open water dive (PADI) and we had a to make an emergency ascent because one of the students panicked. I didn't pay too much attention to my breathing but don't think I held my breath. We came from around 5m/18ft.

Either way, after the dive I'm feeling a little light headed and have been experiencing some chest discomfort/pressure beneath my sternum. The dive was about 3hours ago.

Should I be worried?
Your advice will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

-Sarah

You've already gotten good advice of calling DAN, etc.,. For future reference, I wanted to add that you should only do an emergency ascent if you have an issue - not because someone else has one - unless you are that person's buddy or your assistance is critical. Otherwise, do a controlled ascent and safety stop (if possible) and meet up at the surface.

Good luck and I hope you are OK.

 

[cerich]

You've already gotten good advice of calling DAN, etc.,. For future reference, I wanted to add that you should only do an emergency ascent if you have an issue - not because someone else has one - unless you are that person's buddy or your assistance is critical. Otherwise, do a controlled ascent and safety stop (if possible) and meet up at the surface.

Good luck and I hope you are OK.

she is a student, and didn't know what she didn't know, plus the instructor by standards if didn't have a certified assistant was in a "can't win" as she/he is supposed to not let any student out of direct supervision.

We need more certified assistants when teaching.

 

[SarahPADI]

Thanks to all of you for your replies, I just got of the phone with a DAN doctor.
Long story short, I shouldn't worry too much. He thinks it might be related to breathing cold air (which also causes me troubles when I go for a run during winter). The feeling should be gone in a couple of hours, if not he asked me to call him back.

Again thank's a lot, I didn't even know DAN existed.

 

[SarahPADI]

You've already gotten good advice of calling DAN, etc.,. For future reference, I wanted to add that you should only do an emergency ascent if you have an issue - not because someone else has one - unless you are that person's buddy or your assistance is critical. Otherwise, do a controlled ascent and safety stop (if possible) and meet up at the surface.

Good luck and I hope you are OK.

Well actually, it happend all very quickly and the visibility was very poor. As far as I could tell at the moment everyone around me was ascending. Due to the visibility I was not able to distinguish between the instructor and the students so I just followed. I know it was a bad call :/...

 

[cerich]

Thanks to all of you for your replies, I just got of the phone with a DAN doctor.
Long story short, I shouldn't worry too much. He thinks it might be related to breathing cold air (which also causes me troubles when I go for a run during winter). The feeling should be gone in a couple of hours, if not he asked me to call him back.

Again thank's a lot, I didn't even now DAN existed.

see, they know the questions to ask!

 

[cerich]

Well actually, it happend all very quickly and the visibility was very poor. As far as I could tell at the moment everyone around me was ascending. Due to the visibility I was not able to distinguish between the instructor and the students so I just followed. I know it was a bad call :/...

meh..you are typing online and just got off the phone, a truly bad call would preclude those. You just leaned a bit more. I really hope you don't let this turn you off diving, we've all had similar happen

 

[SarahPADI]

meh..you are typing online and just got off the phone, a truly bad call would preclude those. You just leaned a bit more. I really hope you don't let this turn you off diving, we've all had similar happen

Not at all, still feeling motivated!
Thanks.

 

[cerich]

join DAN

 

[Joneill]

Well actually, it happend all very quickly and the visibility was very poor. As far as I could tell at the moment everyone around me was ascending. Due to the visibility I was not able to distinguish between the instructor and the students so I just followed. I know it was a bad call :/...

Fair enough and you did not make a bad call given your experience - with limited viz, it could have been far worse if you stayed down solo and got separated. I was not trying to be critical of your decision as I did not know all of the details - it was just meant as "food for thought" for future situations. I'm glad all seems to be OK.

 

[Joneill]

she is a student, and didn't know what she didn't know, plus the instructor by standards if didn't have a certified assistant was in a "can't win" as she/he is supposed to not let any student out of direct supervision.

We need more certified assistants when teaching.

Understood - Luckily, I've always had more than 1 instructor or an assistant on my training dives. It's definitely a good idea and helps avoid these types of issues when 1 student has an emergency. Economics of what folks are willing to pay for instruction likely drives the typical support staffing though, I guess.