IRAP Administrator
08-03-2007, 11:06 PM
Did two dives on Monday, 29 March 2004, both at Devil’s Eye in Ginnie. Both dives were to a max of 97 ft, first dive was 99 minutes on EAN32 with 18 minutes at 20 ft on EAN75, surface interval of about 3 ½ hours, then second dive was 108 minutes on EAN32 with 23 minutes at 20 ft on EAN77.
Both dives had a mandatory deep stop for two minutes at 58 ft. Exited the water at around 6:45pm, broke down gear and began drive home. At 9:00pm felt some numbness in “index toe” on left foot, next day felt numbness at the back of my heel on right foot. Called DAN Tuesday night, they referred me to a local facility on Wednesday. Checked in, got the 5 minute neurological exam, doctor told me he wasn’t sure if it was a bubble or an otherwise pinched nerve.
Put me in monoplace chamber for US Navy table 5. On exit there was no resolution of symptoms, so he had me come back Thursday morning for one more ride, this time in mulitplace chamber. Did 45 min at 45 ft, 15 minute air break, then another 45 minutes at 45 ft, then surfaced. Still no resolution of symptoms. Doctor indicated that due to the minor nature of symptoms if it was a hit it was minor, with any damage possibly permanent due to 36 hour delay between exiting water and initial treatment. If it is nerve damage from say, a pinched nerve in my back, he said it would probably not resolve. He suggested I take a 4 to 6 week break from diving. Profiles are below:
In a look back at what may have contributed, if it was a hit I can’t figure it out besides possibly fatigue. My typical day trip involves four hours of driving each way, with two dives during the day. I’ve done more aggressive dives, and the hang times seemed consistent with the bottom times.
If it was a pinched nerve it could be from lugging double 125’s to the water’s edge. I’ve broken down my 95’s for sidemount. It may be time to do the same with the larger tanks.
Both dives had a mandatory deep stop for two minutes at 58 ft. Exited the water at around 6:45pm, broke down gear and began drive home. At 9:00pm felt some numbness in “index toe” on left foot, next day felt numbness at the back of my heel on right foot. Called DAN Tuesday night, they referred me to a local facility on Wednesday. Checked in, got the 5 minute neurological exam, doctor told me he wasn’t sure if it was a bubble or an otherwise pinched nerve.
Put me in monoplace chamber for US Navy table 5. On exit there was no resolution of symptoms, so he had me come back Thursday morning for one more ride, this time in mulitplace chamber. Did 45 min at 45 ft, 15 minute air break, then another 45 minutes at 45 ft, then surfaced. Still no resolution of symptoms. Doctor indicated that due to the minor nature of symptoms if it was a hit it was minor, with any damage possibly permanent due to 36 hour delay between exiting water and initial treatment. If it is nerve damage from say, a pinched nerve in my back, he said it would probably not resolve. He suggested I take a 4 to 6 week break from diving. Profiles are below:
In a look back at what may have contributed, if it was a hit I can’t figure it out besides possibly fatigue. My typical day trip involves four hours of driving each way, with two dives during the day. I’ve done more aggressive dives, and the hang times seemed consistent with the bottom times.
If it was a pinched nerve it could be from lugging double 125’s to the water’s edge. I’ve broken down my 95’s for sidemount. It may be time to do the same with the larger tanks.