An interesting time...

*Clare* · July 8th, 2006, 01:40 PM

I did three training dives yesterday. 14 metres max - average depth 8 metres with simulated deco assents to practice bottle management. Bottom stage 21 per cent, back gas 32 per cent, deco gas 50 and O2.

Lots of drills, three long ascents, where we were watching the profiles carefully. Nice day - no issues. So when I went home and the back of my hand started tingling I did the usual 'can't be bent - go have a bath and it will go away'.

It didn't really go away but was very, very mild so went to bed. Woke up in the middle of the night and my hand was still tingling - as was my elbow. Hmmm.... must have been lying on it - turn over it will go away.

Woke up at 7:00am and my whole arm was tingling - up to my armpit. Bugger must have been sleeping on it again - turn over.
....
....
Hang on.
....
....
Bugger

....
....
Get out of bed and look up number for Out of Hours Navy Doc - call him and explain the symptoms. I, unsurprisingly, get summoned to Haslar Naval Hospital and Hyperbaric Chamber.

To say that I was fed up is the understatment of the century. I drive myself down the M3 cursing, convinced that I am heading for the chamber as, regardless of the dive profiles, my arm feels weird and is definately not improving. Symptoms are very weak but try as I might I can't ignore the fact that they are there - and have spread.

Denial is a funny thing - I tried to find every excuse under the sun not to go as I didn't want an 'unnecessary' chamber ride. I was utterly convinced that merely going to the hospital had 'signed my fate' and I would be going in for a ride regardless of whether it was necessary. This puts me off.

The deciding factor, I thought about phoning a mate to ask him what he thought - and decided that if I did I already knew what he would say....so I needn't ask - just 'shut up and get in the car'. I resign myself to the inevitable diving ban - and ponder how I will break this to all concerned.

I'm met immediately and we run through my profiles which are, as I expected, without issue. All tests are negative until the doc puts his hand under my arm and squeezes - and I feel like I could go through the roof.

I never thought that I'd be pleased to be told that I have injured my radial nerve but to be honest - when compared with the alternative - I was delighted. In less than an hour I am out of there - and heading for coffee and breakfast.

I'm glad I went for several reasons.

Firstly, had I not gone, I would still have been sitting here wondering whether I had a problem.

Second, if I had been found to have a problem - it would have been treated.

Finally, most importantly - and the reason I'm posting - I have more faith in the system now I have actually encountered it and am confident that I would hesitate less about going in to see them in future if unsure.

If in doubt - make the call - and don't fret that in doing so you have started an inevitable process that will end up with your being recompressed - you haven't. What you have done is give the professionals the chance to make the call - rather than try to make it yourself - and allowed yourself the chance to have the best and appropriate treatment for whatever has occured.

I know that we are fortunate here to have free, easily accessible treatment which is run on a not for profit basis - so some may not feel that they have the options that I did. Interesting to hear what is available elsewhere.

Howard Payne · July 8th, 2006, 02:17 PM

It was picking up that that triple chocolate cookie in the Little Chef afterwards wasn't it? Repetitive strain injury I reckon. Thanks to you and Al for a great afternoon - was despairing of ever getting wet this week - so nice to "slip a couple in" Learnt loads from you both as usual. Hx

LCF · July 8th, 2006, 02:48 PM

I had some median nerve problems when I first got my backplate, because the stiff webbing was eating into the inside of my upper arm. Luckily, I'm a physician, and was able to diagnose myself, but had I not been, I would be on the phone to DAN to ask what I should do for numb hands.

I have also read cases of people developing neurologic symptoms in their hands after diving that proved to be cervical disc disease.

It's worth having someone go carefully over the symptoms and exam, for sure.

Ahmed Adly, Marlin Inn DC · July 9th, 2006, 09:09 PM

What you have written is an act of heroism. I am sure you will save someones butt down the line.

Ahmed

limeyx · July 9th, 2006, 10:34 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Clare Gledhill)

I did three training dives yesterday. 14 metres max - average depth 8 metres with simulated deco assents to practice bottle management. Bottom stage 21 per cent, back gas 32 per cent, deco gas 50 and O2.

...

I know that we are fortunate here to have free, easily accessible treatment which is run on a not for profit basis - so some may not feel that they have the options that I did. Interesting to hear what is available elsewhere.

I have a buddy who had a similar thing.
On the boat, his shoulder started hurting a little, but not enough to "worry" about (given that he was hauling double 119's)

Got home, decided not to tell his wife (oops)
Woke up the next say, could not use arm. ALl numb, tingly.

Got his arse down to the hospital. They put him on O2, didn't seem to help.
As a precaution they put him in the chamber, BUT it wasn't a "dive" chamber, just a chamber at the hospital, so they didn't know much about diving.

The dr said the dive profiles were a little aggressive, but they were well within MDL.

30 mins in the chamber saw little improvement, so they put it down to a nerve/muscle strain and he's been fine since.

This was 1 week before our tech class!

Sterny · July 10th, 2006, 12:20 PM

Wow - well done for posting this and making the right call, Clare. Hope your nerve heals soon!

Davey Willo · July 10th, 2006, 12:40 PM

You did good mate, well done for getting your ass into gear, and well done for posting your thoughts.

BTW, I'm delighted to hear that it wasn't a bend and you're good to dive, as I'm sure is your husband... six weeks out of the water would of made you hell to live with..

Oh yes!

Woz · July 10th, 2006, 12:49 PM

At 14m max it can't be a bend, especially with all that nitrox reducing your effective depth. Haldane proved that you can stay at 10m for ever on air and be brought straight up to the surface without developing DCS.

Nerve damage can be a bugger, mind. Hope it clears up quickly.

gansell · July 10th, 2006, 12:51 PM

Top call, glad it was all clear!

PBrown · July 10th, 2006, 02:00 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Woz)

At 14m max it can't be a bend, especially with all that nitrox reducing your effective depth. Haldane proved that you can stay at 10m for ever on air and be brought straight up to the surface without developing DCS.

ahem, Haldane may have 'proved' it, but others have subsequenty dis-proved it.

DCS is unlikely to occur with the amount of time that we spend underwater, but DCS has been observed shallower than 10m:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/q...&dopt=Abstract

Clare, you did the right thing.

cheers,
Paul

July 8th, 2006, 01:40 PM	#1 (permalink)
Clare(Offline) GUE Instructor Site Admin Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UK Posts: 1,939	I did three training dives yesterday. 14 metres max - average depth 8 metres with simulated deco assents to practice bottle management. Bottom stage 21 per cent, back gas 32 per cent, deco gas 50 and O2. Lots of drills, three long ascents, where we were watching the profiles carefully. Nice day - no issues. So when I went home and the back of my hand started tingling I did the usual 'can't be bent - go have a bath and it will go away'. It didn't really go away but was very, very mild so went to bed. Woke up in the middle of the night and my hand was still tingling - as was my elbow. Hmmm.... must have been lying on it - turn over it will go away. Woke up at 7:00am and my whole arm was tingling - up to my armpit. Bugger must have been sleeping on it again - turn over. .... .... Hang on. .... .... Bugger .... .... Get out of bed and look up number for Out of Hours Navy Doc - call him and explain the symptoms. I, unsurprisingly, get summoned to Haslar Naval Hospital and Hyperbaric Chamber. To say that I was fed up is the understatment of the century. I drive myself down the M3 cursing, convinced that I am heading for the chamber as, regardless of the dive profiles, my arm feels weird and is definately not improving. Symptoms are very weak but try as I might I can't ignore the fact that they are there - and have spread. Denial is a funny thing - I tried to find every excuse under the sun not to go as I didn't want an 'unnecessary' chamber ride. I was utterly convinced that merely going to the hospital had 'signed my fate' and I would be going in for a ride regardless of whether it was necessary. This puts me off. The deciding factor, I thought about phoning a mate to ask him what he thought - and decided that if I did I already knew what he would say....so I needn't ask - just 'shut up and get in the car'. I resign myself to the inevitable diving ban - and ponder how I will break this to all concerned. I'm met immediately and we run through my profiles which are, as I expected, without issue. All tests are negative until the doc puts his hand under my arm and squeezes - and I feel like I could go through the roof. I never thought that I'd be pleased to be told that I have injured my radial nerve but to be honest - when compared with the alternative - I was delighted. In less than an hour I am out of there - and heading for coffee and breakfast. I'm glad I went for several reasons. Firstly, had I not gone, I would still have been sitting here wondering whether I had a problem. Second, if I had been found to have a problem - it would have been treated. Finally, most importantly - and the reason I'm posting - I have more faith in the system now I have actually encountered it and am confident that I would hesitate less about going in to see them in future if unsure. If in doubt - make the call - and don't fret that in doing so you have started an inevitable process that will end up with your being recompressed - you haven't. What you have done is give the professionals the chance to make the call - rather than try to make it yourself - and allowed yourself the chance to have the best and appropriate treatment for whatever has occured. I know that we are fortunate here to have free, easily accessible treatment which is run on a not for profit basis - so some may not feel that they have the options that I did. Interesting to hear what is available elsewhere. __________________ Clare . "Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions....Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you too can become great." Interested in DIR dive training? Always happy to chat/answer questions so get in touch via PM or visit www.dirdiver.co.uk Last edited by Clare; July 8th, 2006 at 03:52 PM..

July 8th, 2006, 02:17 PM	#2 (permalink)
Howard Payne(Offline) The Voices And The Becks Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: London Posts: 2,033	It was picking up that that triple chocolate cookie in the Little Chef afterwards wasn't it? Repetitive strain injury I reckon. Thanks to you and Al for a great afternoon - was despairing of ever getting wet this week - so nice to "slip a couple in" Learnt loads from you both as usual. Hx __________________ Eastbourne Sub-Aqua Club 0513 Nitrox & Trimix, Club Boat, Plenty of Good Value Diving, Regular Club Trips & Holidays, Rec & Tech Training, GUE / Hogarthian Friendly Come Try Us!

July 10th, 2006, 12:20 PM	#6 (permalink)
Sterny(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: The limpid tropical lagoons of Ealing, West London Posts: 551	Wow - well done for posting this and making the right call, Clare. Hope your nerve heals soon! __________________ "I thought I had a great idea today, but it never really took off. In fact, it didn't even get on the runway. I guess you could say it exploded in the hangar." - Bill Watterson, Calvin and Hobbes

July 10th, 2006, 12:49 PM	#8 (permalink)
Woz(Offline) New Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Nottingham Posts: 265	At 14m max it can't be a bend, especially with all that nitrox reducing your effective depth. Haldane proved that you can stay at 10m for ever on air and be brought straight up to the surface without developing DCS. Nerve damage can be a bugger, mind. Hope it clears up quickly. __________________ www.kitfondle.co.uk Lots of shiny diving tatt for you to spend money on

July 10th, 2006, 02:00 PM	#10 (permalink)
PBrown(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Wiltshire Posts: 269	Quote: (Originally Posted by Woz) At 14m max it can't be a bend, especially with all that nitrox reducing your effective depth. Haldane proved that you can stay at 10m for ever on air and be brought straight up to the surface without developing DCS. ahem, Haldane may have 'proved' it, but others have subsequenty dis-proved it. DCS is unlikely to occur with the amount of time that we spend underwater, but DCS has been observed shallower than 10m: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/q...&dopt=Abstract Clare, you did the right thing. cheers, Paul Last edited by PBrown; July 10th, 2006 at 02:01 PM.. Reason: spelling

July 8th, 2006, 02:48 PM	#3 (permalink)
LCF (Online) New Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Seattle Posts: 816	I had some median nerve problems when I first got my backplate, because the stiff webbing was eating into the inside of my upper arm. Luckily, I'm a physician, and was able to diagnose myself, but had I not been, I would be on the phone to DAN to ask what I should do for numb hands. I have also read cases of people developing neurologic symptoms in their hands after diving that proved to be cervical disc disease. It's worth having someone go carefully over the symptoms and exam, for sure.

July 9th, 2006, 09:09 PM	#4 (permalink)
Ahmed Adly, Marlin Inn DC(Offline) New Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: hurghada Posts: 1,102	What you have written is an act of heroism. I am sure you will save someones butt down the line. Ahmed

July 9th, 2006, 10:34 PM	#5 (permalink)
limeyx(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 822	Quote: (Originally Posted by Clare Gledhill) I did three training dives yesterday. 14 metres max - average depth 8 metres with simulated deco assents to practice bottle management. Bottom stage 21 per cent, back gas 32 per cent, deco gas 50 and O2. ... I know that we are fortunate here to have free, easily accessible treatment which is run on a not for profit basis - so some may not feel that they have the options that I did. Interesting to hear what is available elsewhere. I have a buddy who had a similar thing. On the boat, his shoulder started hurting a little, but not enough to "worry" about (given that he was hauling double 119's) Got home, decided not to tell his wife (oops) Woke up the next say, could not use arm. ALl numb, tingly. Got his arse down to the hospital. They put him on O2, didn't seem to help. As a precaution they put him in the chamber, BUT it wasn't a "dive" chamber, just a chamber at the hospital, so they didn't know much about diving. The dr said the dive profiles were a little aggressive, but they were well within MDL. 30 mins in the chamber saw little improvement, so they put it down to a nerve/muscle strain and he's been fine since. This was 1 week before our tech class!

July 10th, 2006, 12:40 PM	#7 (permalink)
Davey Willo(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Cleveland Posts: 197	You did good mate, well done for getting your ass into gear, and well done for posting your thoughts. BTW, I'm delighted to hear that it wasn't a bend and you're good to dive, as I'm sure is your husband... six weeks out of the water would of made you hell to live with.. Oh yes!

July 10th, 2006, 12:51 PM	#9 (permalink)
gansell(Offline) New Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Coventry Posts: 28	Top call, glad it was all clear!