OXTOX but within single-dive limits

[Doppler]

Asking the hive for help.

I can recall at least two instances of cave divers having CNS toxicity hits while staying within single dive NOAA limits. However, cannot find my notes. Do any of you remember details. The instances in question are: 1) a husband and wife team... wife died 2) two buddies from Northern States, one buddy died.

[MORGAN]

I believe that incident #1 above is covered in two threads on this forum, both titled: "Death at "The Crack", started by divers4life on 17 July 2007 and 27 July 2007. Her name was Elizabeth Anna Halbach.

A very sad case.

Mike

[outofayr]

Pretty sure that one of the two buddies from NE states, the survivor, was affiliated with Osprey charters. I was in cave country the week that happened, and actually found the decedent's spool in Orange Grove. He had dropped it exiting, and I gave it back to him in the parking lot. We got to chatting, and that's when his buddy said something about either owning/co-owning Osprey charters and we should come up to dive with them sometime. A couple days later was when the fatality occurred. IIRC, on exit at Ginnie Springs about 1K back in. Thinking was the 24 hour clock was responsible.

Mike is right on the other case. IIRC, she was known to be susceptible to oxtox based on some chamber rides she had done, and was on a decongestant that day.

Hope that helps, Steve.

Brian

[patpicos]

I hope this turns into a Doppler blog post. Interesting subject.

I know I have personally omitted air breaks on O2 deco and felt the irritation afterwards (not CNS issue, but still related to elevated PPO2 use), so any content on the topic is worthy!

[Sly-vester]

Very interesting topic agreed, I would like to see what other factors could make one more sensitive to Ox Tox, like medications or diet. In addition would be curious how CNS tox could happen before pulmonary tox, and the differences of how the two are brought on, maybe the depth vs. setpoint on the pulmonary.

[outofayr]

Steve:

There's a thread with more details on the death of Jeff Thompson:

http://www.cavediver.net/forum/showt...=jeff+thompson

Hope that helps,
Brian

[Doppler]

Very interesting topic agreed, I would like to see what other factors could make one more sensitive to Ox Tox, like medications or diet. In addition would be curious how CNS tox could happen before pulmonary tox, and the differences of how the two are brought on, maybe the depth vs. setpoint on the pulmonary.

Suggest a quick read of the NOAA diving manual. Really the source upon which a lot of what we do is based.

I am of a mind to suggest someone fund more research or at least data gathering... especially after a chat with a buddy about long cave dives and the overrun of the NOAA single dive guideline...

Anyhow, thanks for your help. Does the trick for me. Will be more careful with notes in future.

[Germie]

I believe that incident #1 above is covered in two threads on this forum, both titled: "Death at "The Crack", started by divers4life on 17 July 2007 and 27 July 2007. Her name was Elizabeth Anna Halbach.

A very sad case.

Mike

I believe too, the diver who died took some medicines I thought.

[Germie]

I cannot change previous post, but if you look up the posts then you will find the link with a post dive analyses.

[Benderr]

Very interesting topic agreed, I would like to see what other factors could make one more sensitive to Ox Tox, like medications or diet. In addition would be curious how CNS tox could happen before pulmonary tox, and the differences of how the two are brought on, maybe the depth vs. setpoint on the pulmonary.

Some meds lower your seizure threshold.