My Experience with DCS

[FW]

Correction: We have THOUGHT for a long time that dehydration contributes to DCS. The evidence is less than compelling, and more recent studies dispute the old way of thinking. It is probably more important to hydrate during decompression than before the dive.

Go back and read post #16

Also read Phillip1's post #48 about how long it really takes to hydrate.

[victorzamora]

Just a question about that RescuEAN,.... Would EAN (say 32%) be of that much help to a diver suffering from DCS? I can see 100% O2,... but 32%? I guess it would fall in the "doing something is better than doing nothing" category. One thing about my incident, is I had an inkling of what was going on, but not absolutely sure & probably some denial also in the mix, so I did not go on Oxygen. Probably should have, since I had some in my O2 bailout & rebreather O2 bottles with me... Not exactly the smartest thing.

Well, RescuEAN is O2 and Nitrox compatible....so that pod would make any scuba tank compatible with a non-rebreather mask.

As for EAN32, everything I've read agrees that "the next highest FO2 gas" is what you want....and it makes sense. You offgas more N2 the steeper your gradient is, so less into your lungs means more out of your body. EAN32 is 14% decrease in N2 intake....so it certainly can't hurt. With my, admittedly limited, understanding, your "doing something is better than nothing" category is exactly where that falls.

This and other recent incidents have actually gotten me a little spooked and have me changing my planning. I used to be okay with two dives off the same O2 bottle and just getting fills later, I'm now erring on the side of always having more O2 with me than needed. I'm even considering getting an additional O2 bottle and dedicating it primarily to surface use.

[tstormdiver]

More or less just questioning the overall effects/ benefits of EAN32, is all.

[mdax]

I have a rescueEan, solid construction, works great.
I keep a several tanks of o2 ready as well as the rescueEan.
The rescueEan's best use is for a diver that can't use a reg, obviously a demand reg while driving to georgia would be most efficient.
In cases where the diver is hurting and can't use a reg the rescueO2 and mask are a good option.
Haven't had to use it yet, but it's with my rescueO2 gear, hopefully I'll never need it.

[Nitrogenius]

More or less just questioning the overall effects/ benefits of EAN32, is all.

Said to be no further positive effect with anything below 50% at surface..
Will certainly not hurt but will not help anything either

[Jax]

I hear you, but if that is all I have, I be breathing it until I can get more O2.

[victorzamora]

Said to be no further positive effect with anything below 50% at surface..
Will certainly not hurt but will not help anything either

Do you have a source for that? It may be minimal, but I'd think less N2 inhaled is better....no matter how minor the FN2 difference.