It could happen to anyone who dives

**Simon TW** · 1st February 2006, 09:47

Hi Guy's I have just had the phonecall, the results of the PFO test is negative.

I have been given the okay to attend a medical for "fitness to dive" if I pass this then I'm back in the water.

I have taken onboard what has been said about the tests and I have a referral to Dr Wilimhurst in England for a TEE test. I plan to just keep within recreational limits until I have the results of this.

If i didn't have a PFO the question that still remains is why did I get such a bad bend. I have read accounts of guys doing direct assents from 70 metres and missing 90 mins deco that didn't bend as bad as I did.

A modification that i'm considering is a fourth cell on a VR3. I saw a connection at "Boot" where you unscrew the hose from the top of the scrubbber and screw this fourth cell holder on, you then re-connect the hose. This means that it is interchangeable between AP valves CCR's and avoids driling the head.

I just want to be sure now.

But it's looking good for getting in the water again

Mdemon · 1st February 2006, 10:06

I'm glad you don't have a PFO Simon. I hope the Dive Fitness test goes OK.

There is only one real test, and it's a bottle test. Getting back in the water...

I really hope it goes well for you.

PCDiver · 1st February 2006, 10:44

Quote: (Originally Posted by Simon TW)

But it's looking good for getting in the water again

Great news Simon - YGM

Genesis · 1st February 2006, 13:19

Quote: (Originally Posted by Simon TW)

If i didn't have a PFO the question that still remains is why did I get such a bad bend. I have read accounts of guys doing direct assents from 70 metres and missing 90 mins deco that didn't bend as bad as I did.

Sometimes the dice just come up wrong. That's why deco is a theory and not a proven fact.

With that said, its POSSIBLE that there was an issue with calibration or readings on the unit. Its difficult to know, after the fact, exactly what was going on down there, given our imperfect way of measuring in all the current units. There are no really solid ways of fixing this - but more information is good. The 4th cell into a VR3 is probably a good thing...

Good luck with your medical and return to the deep blue!

ROB DAVIE · 1st February 2006, 13:40

Simon,

That is really great news so far! I hope the rest of the tests go well for you and we can see you back in the water on a regular basis!

Rob

**Simon TW** · 1st February 2006, 18:19

Quote: (Originally Posted by Mdemon)

There is only one real test, and it's a bottle test. Getting back in the water...

No worries there John

**Simon TW** · 9th February 2006, 10:21

I thought that I would just bring you all up to date. I passed the "Fitness to dive medical" which was more detailed than I imagined. Some of the tests that I had to do were a little unexpected.

The Doctor who performed the medical is a Specialist Diving Doc who is also a Diver. He had the theory that the cause for the bend was residual nitrogen built up over several days deep and long diving. He suggested that computers can't acurately measue the retained nitrogen as all of our bodies are different and at best they should just be used as a guide. So more day's off to off gas. As allways I would welcome your thoughts on that theory.

One of the tests that I was asked to perform was to stand with my arms folded, place one foot in front of the other, heel to toe, look straight ahead and when ready close my eyes and keep them closed for one minuite.

It sounds pretty easy but I've been testing it out on family and friends and it isn't. This test is not just a test of nerves, but reflexes and balance. Aparrently if you can do this then you're reasonably okay. Unless you have an ear infection which could throw it out.

Thanks again to everyone for your valuable contributions on the two threads concerning my bend. I will keep the Forum informed of any further news.

I'm off diving now

Mdemon · 9th February 2006, 11:19

Quote: (Originally Posted by Simon TW)

The Doctor who performed the medical is a Specialist Diving Doc who is also a Diver. He had the theory that the cause for the bend was residual nitrogen built up over several days deep and long diving. He suggested that computers can't acurately measue the retained nitrogen as all of our bodies are different and at best they should just be used as a guide. So more day's off to off gas. As allways I would welcome your thoughts on that theory.

More helium needed!

Quote: (Originally Posted by Simon TW)

One of the tests that I was asked to perform was to stand with my arms folded, place one foot in front of the other, heel to toe, look straight ahead and when ready close my eyes and keep them closed for one minuite.

Sounds like part of the Sharpened Romburg test (caveat - I'm not a diving doc!!!). I think it would be useful for all divers to find out how to do this test and then to do it. Then if they get bent, they have a baseline against which to assess themselves - as you say, it's quite tricky; how do you tell if you've got a neuro bend or just normally crap at balancing with your eyes shut?

Have a good dive!

**Simon TW** · 2nd February 2007, 01:23

I had to revisit this thread to see what date I had the PFO test following on from the bend in Bonaire.

I received the results on the 1 february 2006 and posted on here that I was clear and that all was okay.

I also put in that post that I was still waiting for a test from Dr P Wilmhuirst one of the formost experts on DCS in the UK.

Since 1 February 2006 I have done quite a bit of diving CCR and OC. I did a PADI IDC/iE to become an OWSI.

I continued to dive CCR and under the guidance of Andy Heyhurst I became a tech Instructor then a CCR Instructor.

This last year I have been fortunate enough to dive with some great guys, Dave Cooper, Pete Roberts and Bart Siliakus to name a few.

For this year I have a World tour planned and booked, LA, Taihiti, Cook Islands, New Zealand (a month here), Australia, Singapore and South Africa. I set off in just over two weeks.

I have an English Channel tour planned in Summer then I'm expecting to be in the Galapogos Islands in Autum then the Falkland Islands for winter, (their summer).

Last week I received a phone call from Dr P Wilmhurst (remember the DCS doc) He wants me to attend for a test. I'd almost forgotten that I was expecting to see him.

I met Dr Wilmhurst this afternoon and was given the bubble test along with some other tests.

Was I worried, well I bought, paid for and collected another Inspiration yesterday in addition to the new kit that I had aquired for my world tour and the new suit that I had orderd this week. No, I wasn't worried, I'd been given the all clear by a private hospital a year ago and this was me doing my bit in an NHS reasearch programme.

Guess what! I have a hole, a hole in my heart, Patent Forman Ovale. A 10mm hole is shunting and it's really good at it. I was told NO hole last year and now there is no doubt. The Guy knew what he was doing with the tests and explained it very thoroughly.

Exactly one year on from being told NO hole I find out the real reason for this bend.

So NO speculation from now on I know why it happened.

Since I have been back diving I have purchased my own O2 kit and taught my family members how to administer O2. I experienced the symptoms of DCS after the dive. From what I've read many people who have had a DCS experience the "bends" well after leaving the water. Having an O2 kit on the boat or with a member of the team is fine while you're with them but IMHO WE ALL NEED TO CARRY ONE in our cars for 24 hours after each dive. After all the dive is not over at the surface. They cost the same as a decent reg but could potentally save your life.

Tomorrow is another day for me, I'm alive and well and apart from a small hole I'm fine. Now I have to focus on getting it fixed and diving short and shallow until I'm certain that I'm not blowing internal bubbles.

Dive safe everyone and thanks again for reading.

Simon

***Decodiver*** · 2nd February 2007, 08:59

Simon mate I am sorry to hear this.

However it will give closure to the reason for your bend and with todays technology hopefully a rapid repair is possible.

Take care my friend and best of luck.

Dave.

1st February 2006, 09:47	#31 (permalink)
Simon TW Martini Diver Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Inspiration Vision Evolution Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: May 2005 Location: Hurghada (Egypt) and Lancaster (England) Posts: 157	Re: It could happen to anyone who dives Hi Guy's I have just had the phonecall, the results of the PFO test is negative. I have been given the okay to attend a medical for "fitness to dive" if I pass this then I'm back in the water. I have taken onboard what has been said about the tests and I have a referral to Dr Wilimhurst in England for a TEE test. I plan to just keep within recreational limits until I have the results of this. If i didn't have a PFO the question that still remains is why did I get such a bad bend. I have read accounts of guys doing direct assents from 70 metres and missing 90 mins deco that didn't bend as bad as I did. A modification that i'm considering is a fourth cell on a VR3. I saw a connection at "Boot" where you unscrew the hose from the top of the scrubbber and screw this fourth cell holder on, you then re-connect the hose. This means that it is interchangeable between AP valves CCR's and avoids driling the head. I just want to be sure now. But it's looking good for getting in the water again Last edited by Simon TW : 1st February 2006 at 09:50.
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1st February 2006, 10:06	#32 (permalink)
Mdemon SiegeEngine II Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Home Build Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: SWUK Posts: 1,931	Re: It could happen to anyone who dives I'm glad you don't have a PFO Simon. I hope the Dive Fitness test goes OK. There is only one real test, and it's a bottle test. Getting back in the water... I really hope it goes well for you. __________________ www.southwestmafia.com "small minds talk about people, Average Minds Talk About Events, GREAT MINDS TALK ABOUT IDEAS!" The WRONG Attitude will get you killed. "Once the agenda-monkeys and perfect-worlders have moved on, perhaps we can do some diving?"
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1st February 2006, 10:44	#33 (permalink)
PCDiver Submerge Productions Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Belgium Posts: 962	Re: It could happen to anyone who dives Quote: (Originally Posted by Simon TW) But it's looking good for getting in the water again Great news Simon - YGM
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1st February 2006, 13:19	#34 (permalink)
Genesis Bubbless Box of Death Current Rebreather/s: Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Home Build Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Sunny Florida Posts: 1,396	Re: It could happen to anyone who dives Quote: (Originally Posted by Simon TW) If i didn't have a PFO the question that still remains is why did I get such a bad bend. I have read accounts of guys doing direct assents from 70 metres and missing 90 mins deco that didn't bend as bad as I did. Sometimes the dice just come up wrong. That's why deco is a theory and not a proven fact. With that said, its POSSIBLE that there was an issue with calibration or readings on the unit. Its difficult to know, after the fact, exactly what was going on down there, given our imperfect way of measuring in all the current units. There are no really solid ways of fixing this - but more information is good. The 4th cell into a VR3 is probably a good thing... Good luck with your medical and return to the deep blue! __________________ "A venturesome minority will always be eager to get off on their own, and no obstacles should be placed in their path; let them take risks for Godsake, let them get lost, sunburnt, stranded, drowned, eaten by bears, buried alive under avalanches - that is the right and privilege of any free American." http://www.denninger.net http://www.diversunion.org/liability.htm - Fix the Diving Cert racket
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1st February 2006, 13:40	#35 (permalink)
ROB DAVIE Administrator Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: HOUSTON, REPUBLIC OF TEJAS Posts: 1,120	Re: It could happen to anyone who dives Simon, That is really great news so far! I hope the rest of the tests go well for you and we can see you back in the water on a regular basis! Rob
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1st February 2006, 18:19	#36 (permalink)
Simon TW Martini Diver Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Inspiration Vision Evolution Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: May 2005 Location: Hurghada (Egypt) and Lancaster (England) Posts: 157	Re: It could happen to anyone who dives Quote: (Originally Posted by Mdemon) There is only one real test, and it's a bottle test. Getting back in the water... No worries there John
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9th February 2006, 10:21	#37 (permalink)
Simon TW Martini Diver Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Inspiration Vision Evolution Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: May 2005 Location: Hurghada (Egypt) and Lancaster (England) Posts: 157	Re: It could happen to anyone who dives I thought that I would just bring you all up to date. I passed the "Fitness to dive medical" which was more detailed than I imagined. Some of the tests that I had to do were a little unexpected. The Doctor who performed the medical is a Specialist Diving Doc who is also a Diver. He had the theory that the cause for the bend was residual nitrogen built up over several days deep and long diving. He suggested that computers can't acurately measue the retained nitrogen as all of our bodies are different and at best they should just be used as a guide. So more day's off to off gas. As allways I would welcome your thoughts on that theory. One of the tests that I was asked to perform was to stand with my arms folded, place one foot in front of the other, heel to toe, look straight ahead and when ready close my eyes and keep them closed for one minuite. It sounds pretty easy but I've been testing it out on family and friends and it isn't. This test is not just a test of nerves, but reflexes and balance. Aparrently if you can do this then you're reasonably okay. Unless you have an ear infection which could throw it out. Thanks again to everyone for your valuable contributions on the two threads concerning my bend. I will keep the Forum informed of any further news. I'm off diving now
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9th February 2006, 11:19	#38 (permalink)
Mdemon SiegeEngine II Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Home Build Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: SWUK Posts: 1,931	Re: It could happen to anyone who dives Quote: (Originally Posted by Simon TW) The Doctor who performed the medical is a Specialist Diving Doc who is also a Diver. He had the theory that the cause for the bend was residual nitrogen built up over several days deep and long diving. He suggested that computers can't acurately measue the retained nitrogen as all of our bodies are different and at best they should just be used as a guide. So more day's off to off gas. As allways I would welcome your thoughts on that theory. More helium needed! Quote: (Originally Posted by Simon TW) One of the tests that I was asked to perform was to stand with my arms folded, place one foot in front of the other, heel to toe, look straight ahead and when ready close my eyes and keep them closed for one minuite. Sounds like part of the Sharpened Romburg test (caveat - I'm not a diving doc!!!). I think it would be useful for all divers to find out how to do this test and then to do it. Then if they get bent, they have a baseline against which to assess themselves - as you say, it's quite tricky; how do you tell if you've got a neuro bend or just normally crap at balancing with your eyes shut? Have a good dive! __________________ www.southwestmafia.com "small minds talk about people, Average Minds Talk About Events, GREAT MINDS TALK ABOUT IDEAS!" The WRONG Attitude will get you killed. "Once the agenda-monkeys and perfect-worlders have moved on, perhaps we can do some diving?"
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2nd February 2007, 01:23	#39 (permalink)
Simon TW Martini Diver Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Inspiration Vision Evolution Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: May 2005 Location: Hurghada (Egypt) and Lancaster (England) Posts: 157	Re: It could happen to anyone who dives I had to revisit this thread to see what date I had the PFO test following on from the bend in Bonaire. I received the results on the 1 february 2006 and posted on here that I was clear and that all was okay. I also put in that post that I was still waiting for a test from Dr P Wilmhuirst one of the formost experts on DCS in the UK. Since 1 February 2006 I have done quite a bit of diving CCR and OC. I did a PADI IDC/iE to become an OWSI. I continued to dive CCR and under the guidance of Andy Heyhurst I became a tech Instructor then a CCR Instructor. This last year I have been fortunate enough to dive with some great guys, Dave Cooper, Pete Roberts and Bart Siliakus to name a few. For this year I have a World tour planned and booked, LA, Taihiti, Cook Islands, New Zealand (a month here), Australia, Singapore and South Africa. I set off in just over two weeks. I have an English Channel tour planned in Summer then I'm expecting to be in the Galapogos Islands in Autum then the Falkland Islands for winter, (their summer). Last week I received a phone call from Dr P Wilmhurst (remember the DCS doc) He wants me to attend for a test. I'd almost forgotten that I was expecting to see him. I met Dr Wilmhurst this afternoon and was given the bubble test along with some other tests. Was I worried, well I bought, paid for and collected another Inspiration yesterday in addition to the new kit that I had aquired for my world tour and the new suit that I had orderd this week. No, I wasn't worried, I'd been given the all clear by a private hospital a year ago and this was me doing my bit in an NHS reasearch programme. Guess what! I have a hole, a hole in my heart, Patent Forman Ovale. A 10mm hole is shunting and it's really good at it. I was told NO hole last year and now there is no doubt. The Guy knew what he was doing with the tests and explained it very thoroughly. Exactly one year on from being told NO hole I find out the real reason for this bend. So NO speculation from now on I know why it happened. Since I have been back diving I have purchased my own O2 kit and taught my family members how to administer O2. I experienced the symptoms of DCS after the dive. From what I've read many people who have had a DCS experience the "bends" well after leaving the water. Having an O2 kit on the boat or with a member of the team is fine while you're with them but IMHO WE ALL NEED TO CARRY ONE in our cars for 24 hours after each dive. After all the dive is not over at the surface. They cost the same as a decent reg but could potentally save your life. Tomorrow is another day for me, I'm alive and well and apart from a small hole I'm fine. Now I have to focus on getting it fixed and diving short and shallow until I'm certain that I'm not blowing internal bubbles. Dive safe everyone and thanks again for reading. Simon __________________ http://www.sirenian.org Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Last edited by Simon TW : 2nd February 2007 at 10:40.
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2nd February 2007, 08:59	#40 (permalink)
*Decodiver* Administrator Current Rebreather/s: Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Other CCR Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Geneva Posts: 2,197	Re: It could happen to anyone who dives Simon mate I am sorry to hear this. However it will give closure to the reason for your bend and with todays technology hopefully a rapid repair is possible. Take care my friend and best of luck. Dave. __________________ CCR/OC Trimix Instructor Trainer CCR Training to Mixed Gas in Switzerland, France, UK & Germany on Megalodon/COPIS-Megalodon/KISS/Sport KISS/Ouroboros/rEvo/Inspiration/Evolution/Sentinel www.zerogravitydiving.com Rebreather World Terms & Conditions
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