I have just found out that I am one of the 30% of the population that have a PFO. I sufferred 'significant neurological DCS' some 3 months ago (in short, properly f****d up) and the wondering/ lack of a decent explanation has been unsettling. Strange, I am actually quite relieved.
What I really want to say is this: after decompression dives not only should one refrain from straining with equipment and generally take it easy, one should also not sneeze, cough or even strain on the loo - all these things increase thorassic pressure and can manifest a neuro bend if one has a PFO (which makes perfect sense, but eluded me until too late). Seriously, I suffered mine due to coughing, albeit violently, and it manifest in about 3 minutes - then I hit the floor!
I was surprised that the PFO did not reveal itself some time ago, but surprisingly
this is not uncommon.
Incidentally, I am due to be assessed at DDRC (Diving Deseases Research Centre) next week, which should be interesting (a friend of mine has recently been given a 10m depth limit due to the presence of a PFO). So it seems I am going to look rather overdressed in 10m of water - with all the snorkellers.
WORTHY PLUG: I found the new Edition of
Deeper into Diving (John Lippmann and Dr. Simon Mitchell - whom we are very lucky to have on this board) to be a very useful and also comforting resource. Thanks to you both for all the hard work. Go an buy a copy if you don't have one already, it is simply excellent with a wealth of up to date information - the likes of which are better to learn, rather than glean from experience.
Take it easy - and no running, lifting, farting, sneezing or coughing.
Cheers
Paul Channing