Panic Episode This Weekend

[Dive the Ice]

This weekend I was doing a deeper dive at about 100 feet. I was perfectly fine one second and then the next second I was in a panic. I had a weird pain on the right side of the chest and then this urgent need to surface. I was breathing really hard and freaking out. I was able to get my emotions in check and surface normally with a saftey stop but I litterally thought I was dying for a short time. I remember telling myself I have to make it for my kids. SCARY that I had to go there.

I am not sure what brought this on but I am a fairly experienced diver and have not had anything like this happen before. I keep replaying the dive in my head but cant figure it out. I was diving a 130 steel tank for the first time deep but I was weighted properly and didnt have any issues that made the dive uncomfortable. After surfacing I was fine and after a 30 min surface interval, I geared up and went for a second, shallower dive with out any further issues.

Though I am not a huge fan of going real deep, I had no anxety about the dive prior and have dove to 120ft numerous times in the past with out issue or anxiety. Not sure what happened that day but it was like a switch flipped and I almost lost it. I literally an grateful I had a full face mask on cause I felt like I woulda spit the reg out and freaked.

Talk about spooky!

 

[Dsix36]

I would venture a guess at CO2 retention, but when you mention a weird pain in your chest it is best to get checked by a doctor rather than looking for internet advice.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

And perhaps a bit of a dark narc experience? Just because it didn't happen before doesn't mean it didn't this time.

 

[tracydr]

How old are you? Are you undergoing a great deal of stress in other areas of your life? Are you male or female?
I often see men,especially, experience off-the wall panic attacks when they are having lots of stress at work or home.
Another thing, any alcohol or drugs? Medications? These things can make panic attacks more likely and anything can make panic more likely when combined with dark, cold water under pressure at depth. Again, narcosis is more likely in colder, darker water as well.

 

[chillyinCanada]

Sounded similar to some dark narcs I've experienced . . . except for the pain. That would make me want to get checked out prior to undertaking another dive, especially since you wanted to spit out your reg. I've never wanted to do that, only wanted to get out . . . and even so, just ascended a bit to shake off the worst of the dark narc. Worrisome. Do you really want to go dive again before you find out what may have caused this reaction (other than dark narc, that is).

And yes, I agree with Jim, just because you've never had a dark narc before doesn't mean you won't ever have one. Further, if this experience turns out to be a dark narc, doesn't mean you will have one everytime from now on in either. Were you in any way particularly tired, or were you well rested, hydrated, fed?

 

[halems]

Several years ago I was sitting calmly at my computer on a Monday morning when I started to have chest pains. Checked the medical web sites and was convinced I was having a heart attack. After an ambulance ride to the ER, the doctors concluded it wasn't a heart attack but suggested a visit to the cardiologist. Did the full stress EKG workout and doctors were proved correct, no heart issues. Exactly the same time on the next Monday it happened again. I just told myself that it must be stress, get over it, and I did. It stopped and has never returned.

The mind is clearly our strongest organ.

This weekend I was doing a deeper dive at about 100 feet. I was perfectly fine one second and then the next second I was in a panic. I had a weird pain on the right side of the chest and then this urgent need to surface. I was breathing really hard and freaking out. I was able to get my emotions in check and surface normally with a saftey stop but I litterally thought I was dying for a short time. I remember telling myself I have to make it for my kids. SCARY that I had to go there.

I am not sure what brought this on but I am a fairly experienced diver and have not had anything like this happen before. I keep replaying the dive in my head but cant figure it out. I was diving a 130 steel tank for the first time deep but I was weighted properly and didnt have any issues that made the dive uncomfortable. After surfacing I was fine and after a 30 min surface interval, I geared up and went for a second, shallower dive with out any further issues.

Though I am not a huge fan of going real deep, I had no anxety about the dive prior and have dove to 120ft numerous times in the past with out issue or anxiety. Not sure what happened that day but it was like a switch flipped and I almost lost it. I literally an grateful I had a full face mask on cause I felt like I woulda spit the reg out and freaked.

Talk about spooky!

 

[BlueDevil]

Episodes of heart rhythm disturbance can bring on a feeling of sudden anxiety, in particular tachycardia (rapid heart beat, such as SVT). It could also explain the chest pain.

Don't be too alarmed by my suggestion as is only a vague possibility and even if it was the case it can be dealt with by a specialist.

Take care and have a chat with a doctor.

Tapatalk 2

 

[Dive the Ice]

I am actually a paramedic and did an EKG on myself as soon as I got home. This pain was more towards the armpit and i am confident it wasnt a heart issue. All my rhythms where normal. Was weird for sure. After reading a bit more i am leaning towards the co retention. I tend to breath more with the full face mask then on my standard regs. Scared me for sure but I am going to try some more this weekend with different regs and slowly work my depth deeper. Goiing to have my full face serviced as well.

 

[Jim-SAR]

I am actually a paramedic and did an EKG on myself as soon as I got home. This pain was more towards the armpit and i am confident it wasnt a heart issue. All my rhythms where normal. Was weird for sure. After reading a bit more i am leaning towards the co retention. I tend to breath more with the full face mask then on my standard regs. Scared me for sure but I am going to try some more this weekend with different regs and slowly work my depth deeper. Goiing to have my full face serviced as well.

What type of FF mask do you have? Does it have a sensitivity adjustment knob? My Ocean Reef Neptune mask has an adjustment and that can make a HUGE difference in how it breathes (and also how easy it blows through - LOL)

I was laughing as I pictured you giving yourself an EKG. True to form Paramedic :cool2:

 

[chillyinCanada]

OK if Co2 then you had a headache after the dive too?