Things Do Go Wrong

Medical lesson. (Short answer is to contact DAN if you suspect diving health issue)

Yesterday we did a couple of dives in Rangiroa that were fun and not very challenging. When we did our safety stop at 5-meters Ellie drifted up to 1.8 meters for ten seconds before adjusting back to 5-meters for the rest of the safety stop.

When we returned to the ship Ellie noticed a rash on her breast. After about ten minutes pain in the same area was at an 8.

Googling pain on breast and scuba she found there are forms of Decompression Sickness with these symptoms. SEEK TREATMENT IMMEDIATELY!

The medical center on the ship was happy to help, but not knowledgeable about the nuances of Decompression Sickness. Google had first treatment as oxygen ASAP. As we started oxygen I called Divers Alert Network (DAN) to get their helpline to advise us. They helped refine our diagnosis to Cutaneous Decompression Sickness and our plan was made more clear. Neurological screening every couple hours for 24 hours and remain on oxygen and intravenous fluids until all symptoms were gone.

The rash was gone in minutes and pain slowly subsided. By 2:00 AM she was able to leave the medical center.

Four weeks without diving and a saline contrast angiography to rule out a possible heart leak frequently responsible for this type of DCS...

In diving medicine, bubble angiography (more commonly referred to as a bubble study or saline contrast echocardiography) is a critical diagnostic tool used to investigate the underlying cause of cutaneous decompression sickness (DCS), specifically cutis marmorata.

This is being shared to let all divers know that DAN is a resource for you to contact ASAP if you suspect a diving related issue. Everyone needs to be able to advocate for themselves with the best information possible to help our medical staff help us.