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About 2 years (and a couple hundred dives) ago I experienced extreme pain after a dive and ended up spending 6 hours in an ER while they poked and prodded me and ran a zillion tests and ended up not knowing what was wrong. A few months later I experienced Sunday it happened again.
After the first incident I posted on another scuba forum and got a lot of theories from too much carbonation from the Pepsi I drank, to too much fat from the cheese sandwich I ate, to a gall bladder attack. I appreciated all the comments but there didn't seem to be a good answer. It was suggested by several people that I contact DAN but since the symptoms were gone I never got around to calling them and I dove many dives without a problem.
After Sunday's problem I contacted DAN and had a long talk with one of their Medics. I found out that what I experienced was Cutaneous Decompression Sickness. This is something that there is not a lot known about at this time but the Medic I talked to is compiling data so she can write a paper to be presented at a conference in a couple of months.
In the interest of helping this study and spreading knowledge I wanted to outline my symptoms. If anyone has had similiar symptoms it would be great if you could contact DAN and talk to Laurie about them.
ME:
50 year old female with a little more body fat than I should have. Post- hysterectomy. (Post-menopausal women and women who have had hysterectomies are more likely to experience this).
Diving for 3 1/2 years averaging 80-100 dives a year.
Generally a pretty conservative diver.
THE DIVES: (Sunday's)
First dive 60 minutes to a maximum depth of 83'. More than half of the dive between 50-60 feet. More than 8 minute safety stop.
Second dive 59 minutes to a maximum depth of 79'. Most of the dive between 50-60 feet again. At least 10 minutes above 30' and perhaps 5 minutes at safety stop depth.
THE SYMPTOMS:
Extreme burning and pain in the abdomen area (apparently this happens in areas which are fatty-abdomen, hips, buttocks)
Skin rash-reddened skin and small bumps. Can also present as purple bruising.
Skin very sore to the touch.
Slight dizziness and brief nausea.
Onset of symptoms: about an hour after second dive ended
Duration of symptoms: about 2 hours for the pain to abate and maybe another hour for the rash to disappear.
CURE:
If you experience this, surface Oxygen is called for if available. The first time I was at a hospital so they administered it but Sunday I didn't get it. I didn't notice any difference between the two times but it is DCS and it is caused by a build up of Nitrogen so Oxygen really is indicated.
Dive conservatively. Shorter dives, longer safety stops, longer, slower ascents. Take off a day if doing mutiple days of diving.
If you experience these symptoms, don't dive for a couple of days-continuing to dive after having this WILL make it worse including neurological problems.
Dive Nitrox instead of air.
So, that's my story. If you experience this or know someone who does or if you are an instructor who has a student who has this problem, I hope this information helps.
__________________
About 2 years (and a couple hundred dives) ago I experienced extreme pain after a dive and ended up spending 6 hours in an ER while they poked and prodded me and ran a zillion tests and ended up not knowing what was wrong. A few months later I experienced Sunday it happened again.
After the first incident I posted on another scuba forum and got a lot of theories from too much carbonation from the Pepsi I drank, to too much fat from the cheese sandwich I ate, to a gall bladder attack. I appreciated all the comments but there didn't seem to be a good answer. It was suggested by several people that I contact DAN but since the symptoms were gone I never got around to calling them and I dove many dives without a problem.
After Sunday's problem I contacted DAN and had a long talk with one of their Medics. I found out that what I experienced was Cutaneous Decompression Sickness. This is something that there is not a lot known about at this time but the Medic I talked to is compiling data so she can write a paper to be presented at a conference in a couple of months.
In the interest of helping this study and spreading knowledge I wanted to outline my symptoms. If anyone has had similiar symptoms it would be great if you could contact DAN and talk to Laurie about them.
ME:
50 year old female with a little more body fat than I should have. Post- hysterectomy. (Post-menopausal women and women who have had hysterectomies are more likely to experience this).
Diving for 3 1/2 years averaging 80-100 dives a year.
Generally a pretty conservative diver.
THE DIVES: (Sunday's)
First dive 60 minutes to a maximum depth of 83'. More than half of the dive between 50-60 feet. More than 8 minute safety stop.
Second dive 59 minutes to a maximum depth of 79'. Most of the dive between 50-60 feet again. At least 10 minutes above 30' and perhaps 5 minutes at safety stop depth.
THE SYMPTOMS:
Extreme burning and pain in the abdomen area (apparently this happens in areas which are fatty-abdomen, hips, buttocks)
Skin rash-reddened skin and small bumps. Can also present as purple bruising.
Skin very sore to the touch.
Slight dizziness and brief nausea.
Onset of symptoms: about an hour after second dive ended
Duration of symptoms: about 2 hours for the pain to abate and maybe another hour for the rash to disappear.
CURE:
If you experience this, surface Oxygen is called for if available. The first time I was at a hospital so they administered it but Sunday I didn't get it. I didn't notice any difference between the two times but it is DCS and it is caused by a build up of Nitrogen so Oxygen really is indicated.
Dive conservatively. Shorter dives, longer safety stops, longer, slower ascents. Take off a day if doing mutiple days of diving.
If you experience these symptoms, don't dive for a couple of days-continuing to dive after having this WILL make it worse including neurological problems.
Dive Nitrox instead of air.
So, that's my story. If you experience this or know someone who does or if you are an instructor who has a student who has this problem, I hope this information helps.
__________________