Return to diving after DCS?

[bamamedic]

Out of curiosity, what's the general consensus of an appropriate wait to return to diving after a mild Type 2 hit that resolved with one Table 6 treatment?

I've heard a few varying things, from the DAN website, which says 4-6 weeks, to the hyperbaric tech, which suggested 3-4 months (damn, that's a long time!).

Seems to me that any inflammation/residual damage should be cleared up after 4 weeks or so.

Plus, returning to decompression diving? Prior to the DCS hit, I was planning dives with 1-2 hour run times, and about 15-30 min of accelerated deco. I'd like to return to that...is there any issues I haven't thought of concerning returning to deco diving?

 

[Kevrumbo]

I returned to decompression diving two months after my accident --same divesites (Truk Lagoon), but with better preparation and confidence in applying the correct deco profile. . .

 

[DocVikingo]

Hi bamamedic,

Provided that:

1. This was the first and only history of DCS, and

2. It was in fact "a mild" Type II DCS requiring only a single routine Table 6 treatment to achieve complete resolution of signs and symptoms, and

3. The diver has no known or suspected characteristics that may predispose to DCS, e.g., PFO, and

4. The diver is in a good state of medical health and fitness, and

4. The diver feels physically and psychologically ready to dive, then...

....DAN's (actually the US Navy's) recommendation of 6 weeks likely is appropriate for return to recreational SCUBA.

As regards return to decompression diving involving 1-2 hour run times and accelerated deco, to the best of my knowledge diving medicine simply does have the data to make a confident recommendation. Against this background, it seems likely that many diving medicine experts would consider such profiles unwise. As you no doubt know, Type II DCS can be very nasty business.

Regards,

DocVikingo

This is educational only and does not constitute or imply a doctor-patient relationship. It is not medical advice to you or any other individual and should not be construed as such.

 

[bamamedic]

Thanks!

 

[jordan1990]

if it helps i was told i can NEVER dive again from dive specialists and doctors after 5 treatments in the chamber..

 

[DocVikingo]

if it helps i was told i can NEVER dive again from dive specialists and doctors after 5 treatments in the chamber..

Of questionable help as DCS type, treatment tables applied, severity of signs and symptoms, and response to treatment have not been specified.

A single routine Table 6 treatment that achieves complete resolution of reportedly mild signs and symptoms is a rather different situation than a series of 5 treatments. The latter could be indicative of a DCI event serious enough to make further SCUBA an unacceptable risk.

Regards,

DocVikingo

This is educational only and does not constitute or imply a doctor-patient relationship. It is not medical advice to you or any other individual and should not be construed as such.

 

[CaveMD]

if it helps i was told i can NEVER dive again from dive specialists and doctors after 5 treatments in the chamber..

I would definitely like to hear more info.

 

[jordan1990]

My illness after the dive, in which i did by doing a rapid ascent, holding my breath a little, due to panic, is called 'Cerebral Arterial Gas Embolism'. I was rushed to hospital due to,what i would say, were mild symptoms. I spent 6 hours in the chamber when i got there, and then after that i did 2-3 hour sessions on a daily basis, making it 5 sessions in the end before i was discharged to the hospital.
Before discharging me a Senior Dive Specialist and my Dive Doctor - told me that due to the severity of my illness (CAGE) it may be likely that i would get the illness again, if a dived again.

At the time, i was still disorientated from recovery, and was alone when hearing this information as i was on the other side of the world on my own, travelling. As it turns out im still unsure of why i can never dive again.

 

[DocVikingo]

As it turns out im still unsure of why i can never dive again.

Hi Jordan,

I'm curious, too.

Have you sought a second opinion from a qualified diving medicine physician? If not, you might wish to consider doing so.

Regards,

DocVikingo

 

[jordan1990]

Thanks, i think i will do. Im so gutted, and i know i'd take major cautions next time by only diving with professional's which i didnt do last time. I even told the specialist and doctors that i was willing to re-do my Open Water Divers licence again. But they still said no. They think im susceptible to it.