Head Cold after rebreather dives

Jamie B · 31st May 2005, 05:51

I seem to suffer for a head cold for 2-3 days after every rebreather dive.

It has only started happening since I switched over to a rebreather - never any problems before on o/c.

I disinfect the loop & counterlungs after every day's diving with dettol, so do not think there are any nasties in there. Could be a reaction to sofnolime I guess?

Wondering whether anyone else gets this on a regular basis, and what you have found the cause/solution to be.

TIA

JamieB

ROB DAVIE · 31st May 2005, 06:05

Quote: (Originally Posted by Jamie B)

I seem to suffer for a head cold for 2-3 days after every rebreather dive.

It has only started happening since I switched over to a rebreather - never any problems before on o/c.

I disinfect the loop & counterlungs after every day's diving with dettol, so do not think there are any nasties in there. Could be a reaction to sofnolime I guess?

Wondering whether anyone else gets this on a regular basis, and what you have found the cause/solution to be.

TIA

JamieB

Jamie,

There are, unfortunately, a host of possibilities for what you are suffering. The absolute best place to start would be with a physician who specializes in Ear, Nose, and Throat.

Tell him specifically about your very specialized form of diving, and the exposure to higher concentrations of O2, and mention the Sofnolime.

It could be anything from polyps in the nasal and sinus passeges being irritated by the higher O2 concentration, to an allergic reaction to the Sofnolime dust, but the ENT Doc would be the guy to start with.

Cheers!

Rob

dteubner · 1st June 2005, 00:01

Hi Jamie,

Exactly what symptoms do you get?

The problem is MUCH more likely to be due to irritation from sorb (or Dettol) or 02 or various pressure effects than anything to do with germs in the loop.

Dave T

Jamie B · 1st June 2005, 05:45

Hi Dave,

Its basically a continual running nose. Lasts for 2-3 days if I do not take anything to dry it up.

Jamie

dteubner · 1st June 2005, 05:58

What a PITA this must be.

If it's a runny nose then it must be due to some sort of irritation of the nose/sinuses. It could be a allergy to something (although this is a bit unlikely) or local irritation.

It might be worth trying some nasal steroid spray (called Rhinocort in Oz) for a few days prior to your next dive to see if this stops it.
Dave T

Jamie B · 1st June 2005, 08:17

Yes, it is a PITA. All my trips so far have been only a single day. Somewhat concerned how I am going to fare on the second day of a weekend trip.

Do you have a bottle handy that you could look up what the active ingredients are please? I could then look up the equivalent in the UK.

Cheers

Jamie

**RichClark** · 1st June 2005, 09:29

Hi Jamie,

I think the equivilient product her in the UK is Beconase nasal spray. You can buy it over the counter at your local pharmacy.

Cheers

Rich

dteubner · 1st June 2005, 09:35

Quote: (Originally Posted by RichClark)

Hi Jamie,

I think the equivilient product her in the UK is Beconase nasal spray. You can buy it over the counter at your local pharmacy.

Cheers

Rich

What he said.

Dave T

Mark Chase · 1st June 2005, 10:04

There is a lot to be said for filling your scrubber outside using a funnel from a fair height as well. I have noticed dust related problems filling scrubbers in my garage a few times. I try and fill out doors now to let the fine dust blow away. I do notice a dried out throat feeling at the begining of breathing the unit. I tend to have to take the mouth piece out during the pre breath and have some water. I have always wondered if I had just sucked in all the dust small enough to past through the scrim.

ATB

Mark Chase

Jamie B · 1st June 2005, 10:07

Cheers guys.

Boots here I come!

JamieB

31st May 2005, 05:51	#1 (permalink)
Jamie B Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Join Date: May 2005 Location: UK Posts: 172	Head Cold after rebreather dives I seem to suffer for a head cold for 2-3 days after every rebreather dive. It has only started happening since I switched over to a rebreather - never any problems before on o/c. I disinfect the loop & counterlungs after every day's diving with dettol, so do not think there are any nasties in there. Could be a reaction to sofnolime I guess? Wondering whether anyone else gets this on a regular basis, and what you have found the cause/solution to be. TIA JamieB
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31st May 2005, 06:05	#2 (permalink)
ROB DAVIE Administrator Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: HOUSTON, REPUBLIC OF TEJAS Posts: 1,120	Quote: (Originally Posted by Jamie B) I seem to suffer for a head cold for 2-3 days after every rebreather dive. It has only started happening since I switched over to a rebreather - never any problems before on o/c. I disinfect the loop & counterlungs after every day's diving with dettol, so do not think there are any nasties in there. Could be a reaction to sofnolime I guess? Wondering whether anyone else gets this on a regular basis, and what you have found the cause/solution to be. TIA JamieB Jamie, There are, unfortunately, a host of possibilities for what you are suffering. The absolute best place to start would be with a physician who specializes in Ear, Nose, and Throat. Tell him specifically about your very specialized form of diving, and the exposure to higher concentrations of O2, and mention the Sofnolime. It could be anything from polyps in the nasal and sinus passeges being irritated by the higher O2 concentration, to an allergic reaction to the Sofnolime dust, but the ENT Doc would be the guy to start with. Cheers! Rob __________________ [SIZE=2]"CC Rebreathers will become a viable part of tech diving [U]WHEN PIGS FLY[/U]!!"--GI3[/SIZE]
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1st June 2005, 00:01	#3 (permalink)
dteubner Pedant Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Adelaide, Australia Posts: 217	Hi Jamie, Exactly what symptoms do you get? The problem is MUCH more likely to be due to irritation from sorb (or Dettol) or 02 or various pressure effects than anything to do with germs in the loop. Dave T
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1st June 2005, 05:45	#4 (permalink)
Jamie B Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Join Date: May 2005 Location: UK Posts: 172	Hi Dave, Its basically a continual running nose. Lasts for 2-3 days if I do not take anything to dry it up. Jamie
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1st June 2005, 05:58	#5 (permalink)
dteubner Pedant Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Adelaide, Australia Posts: 217	What a PITA this must be. If it's a runny nose then it must be due to some sort of irritation of the nose/sinuses. It could be a allergy to something (although this is a bit unlikely) or local irritation. It might be worth trying some nasal steroid spray (called Rhinocort in Oz) for a few days prior to your next dive to see if this stops it. Dave T
(Online)

1st June 2005, 08:17	#6 (permalink)
Jamie B Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Join Date: May 2005 Location: UK Posts: 172	Yes, it is a PITA. All my trips so far have been only a single day. Somewhat concerned how I am going to fare on the second day of a weekend trip. Do you have a bottle handy that you could look up what the active ingredients are please? I could then look up the equivalent in the UK. Cheers Jamie
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1st June 2005, 09:29	#7 (permalink)
RichClark Classic KISS No. 226 Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Hove, UK Posts: 778	Hi Jamie, I think the equivilient product her in the UK is Beconase nasal spray. You can buy it over the counter at your local pharmacy. Cheers Rich __________________ The more I learn about women, the more I want to go diving... just don't tell my wife I said that To taste something a little different, try http://www.thechillikitchen.co.uk
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1st June 2005, 09:35	#8 (permalink)
dteubner Pedant Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Adelaide, Australia Posts: 217	Quote: (Originally Posted by RichClark) Hi Jamie, I think the equivilient product her in the UK is Beconase nasal spray. You can buy it over the counter at your local pharmacy. Cheers Rich What he said. Dave T
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1st June 2005, 10:04	#9 (permalink)
Mark Chase I go down for ages Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Kent Posts: 2,700	There is a lot to be said for filling your scrubber outside using a funnel from a fair height as well. I have noticed dust related problems filling scrubbers in my garage a few times. I try and fill out doors now to let the fine dust blow away. I do notice a dried out throat feeling at the begining of breathing the unit. I tend to have to take the mouth piece out during the pre breath and have some water. I have always wondered if I had just sucked in all the dust small enough to past through the scrim. ATB Mark Chase __________________ Is it supposed to make that noise ? I took my unit to the dive shop and demanded they bolt on every thing that would fit. Join my elite diving teem and get a Tshirt "Doing It Chasey"Hammerhead Eccr Advanced Diving System
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1st June 2005, 10:07	#10 (permalink)
Jamie B Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Join Date: May 2005 Location: UK Posts: 172	Cheers guys. Boots here I come! JamieB
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