Aloha

John Earle · 12th May 2007, 02:34

Self-introduction: John Earle, Research Associate in Zoology Bishop Museum, Honolulu Hawaii. Rebreather diver since 1994 on Cislunar Mark 4 and now Mark 5, which I use along with Richard Pyle and Brian Greene to study fishes of the "Twilight Zone".
We just returned from a month long expedition in Micronesia sponsored by BBC which is making a 5 part series called Pacific Abyss. We collected many new species of fish on dives down to over 120 meters.
I am contacting this forum to find out if others have had experience with temporary vision deterioration (approximately one diopter) lasting around one month following extended periods of deep diving at a high PO2 (mutiple dives to over 100 meters for a period of more than 2 weeks, individual dive times 4 to 7 hours at PO2 of 1.4). This has happened to me several times following rebreather expeditions. I have no other symptoms, and my vision eventually returns to normal set point. I would appreciate hearing from anyone with knowledge about this condition.

Aloha,
John

teksimple · 12th May 2007, 06:25

Welcome, John.

Have you seen this post?

It sounds like you guys are setting the standard for serious O2 exposure. I have had what appeared to be O2-induced myopia after a two week CCR trip in the Galapagos in 2005, where I was doing about 6 hours underwater a day, at 1.2-1.5 PO2. But the myopia did not last more than a week. Perhaps it was due to the fact that I wore contact lenses...and drank a lot of antioxidant yerba mate tea. I have no idea, really.

Thanks for the "insight" on the Carcharhinus, by the way.

***caveseeker7*** · 12th May 2007, 06:51

Hi John,

welcome to Rebreather World.

Your question will most likely be answered in the dive medicine forum, either by previous posts like the one Kent mentioned or posting it there.

BBC series, good chance it will be on TV here in Germany, too.
Raises an important question: Did Rich get cold?

heyydude · 12th May 2007, 08:25

Hey John - long time...

I wondered where Ritchie had gone.

When John and I were doing the deep dives, we were using 1.2 as our standard. After about 2 weeks, we'd all have some problems focusing. I used to get "pulses" - where my vision would shake back and forth. Initially, this scared me, but once I realized it wasn't getting any worse, and it didn't make me queasy, I decided just to enjoy it, like some weird show.

I remember Howard Hall telling me that he and Bob noticed this effect too, but they've also worked a lot with Rich, so maybe he talked 'em into it...

At least for me, once it goes away, my vision was none the worse. I just turned 49 (a baby, I know...) and I still don't need glasses for near or far vision.

Glad to see you've joined the board. Now, we gotta get Rich on here.

Take care,

Kevin Juergensen
Juergensen Marine, Inc.

pete611 · 12th May 2007, 15:35

Hi John and welcome to Rebreather World from Puerto Rico...

Maui Nobubbles · 13th May 2007, 03:18

Aloha, from Maui - wecome to Rebreather World, lots of good info here.

12th May 2007, 02:34	#1 (permalink)
John Earle New Member Current Rebreather/s: Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Other CCR Join Date: May 2007 Location: Hawaii Posts: 2	Aloha Self-introduction: John Earle, Research Associate in Zoology Bishop Museum, Honolulu Hawaii. Rebreather diver since 1994 on Cislunar Mark 4 and now Mark 5, which I use along with Richard Pyle and Brian Greene to study fishes of the "Twilight Zone". We just returned from a month long expedition in Micronesia sponsored by BBC which is making a 5 part series called Pacific Abyss. We collected many new species of fish on dives down to over 120 meters. I am contacting this forum to find out if others have had experience with temporary vision deterioration (approximately one diopter) lasting around one month following extended periods of deep diving at a high PO2 (mutiple dives to over 100 meters for a period of more than 2 weeks, individual dive times 4 to 7 hours at PO2 of 1.4). This has happened to me several times following rebreather expeditions. I have no other symptoms, and my vision eventually returns to normal set point. I would appreciate hearing from anyone with knowledge about this condition. Aloha, John
(Offline)

12th May 2007, 06:25	#2 (permalink)
teksimple Enlightened Alpinist Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss MK 15.X Other Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Back in Hawaii Posts: 480	Re: Aloha Welcome, John. Have you seen this post? It sounds like you guys are setting the standard for serious O2 exposure. I have had what appeared to be O2-induced myopia after a two week CCR trip in the Galapagos in 2005, where I was doing about 6 hours underwater a day, at 1.2-1.5 PO2. But the myopia did not last more than a week. Perhaps it was due to the fact that I wore contact lenses...and drank a lot of antioxidant yerba mate tea. I have no idea, really. Thanks for the "insight" on the Carcharhinus, by the way. __________________ ---- _____________ "I don't know the percentage of the Internet that's valid, do you? Jesus, it's scary." - Hunter S. Thompson
(Offline)

12th May 2007, 06:51	#3 (permalink)
*caveseeker7* Who loves ya, baby Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Too far from Neverland Posts: 5,325	Re: Aloha Hi John, welcome to Rebreather World. Your question will most likely be answered in the dive medicine forum, either by previous posts like the one Kent mentioned or posting it there. BBC series, good chance it will be on TV here in Germany, too. Raises an important question: Did Rich get cold? __________________ Cheers Stefan "It is still a good day if you are on the green side of the grass! Su amigo Roberto!" Sponsor Lou in Race For Life!
(Offline)

12th May 2007, 08:25	#4 (permalink)
heyydude King of the Geeks Current Rebreather/s: MK 15.X Optima Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Other CCR Join Date: May 2005 Location: Addison, Pennsylvania Posts: 331	Re: Aloha Hey John - long time... I wondered where Ritchie had gone. When John and I were doing the deep dives, we were using 1.2 as our standard. After about 2 weeks, we'd all have some problems focusing. I used to get "pulses" - where my vision would shake back and forth. Initially, this scared me, but once I realized it wasn't getting any worse, and it didn't make me queasy, I decided just to enjoy it, like some weird show. I remember Howard Hall telling me that he and Bob noticed this effect too, but they've also worked a lot with Rich, so maybe he talked 'em into it... At least for me, once it goes away, my vision was none the worse. I just turned 49 (a baby, I know...) and I still don't need glasses for near or far vision. Glad to see you've joined the board. Now, we gotta get Rich on here. Take care, Kevin Juergensen Juergensen Marine, Inc.
(Offline)

12th May 2007, 15:35	#5 (permalink)
pete611 RBD one dive at a time... Current Rebreather/s: Dolphin Other Rebreather/s: Dolphin Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Puerto Rico Posts: 223	Re: Aloha Hi John and welcome to Rebreather World from Puerto Rico... __________________ Warm Water Only For Me Please.. ><))))°> ><))))°> WARNING: the rebreather is not broken is a Dolphin!!!
(Offline)

13th May 2007, 03:18	#6 (permalink)
Maui Nobubbles New Member Current Rebreather/s: Dolphin Other Rebreather/s: Dolphin Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Kihei, Maui Hawaii Posts: 69	Re: Aloha Aloha, from Maui - wecome to Rebreather World, lots of good info here. __________________ Maui Nobubbles
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