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THE DIVER
The diver was a 45-year-old male dive instructor with
approximately 300 lifetime dives. He denied taking
any medication and reported no history of medical
conditions.
THE DIVES
The diver was teaching an advanced open-water
course at a local lake popular with divers. The water
temperature ranged from 78°F to 92°F. He was
accompanied by his wife, who was assisting the class
as a divemaster, for a series of five dives over the
weekend. They completed three dives on Saturday
with long surface intervals between the dives followed
by a 16.5-hour surface interval before the first dive
on Sunday.
The first dive on Sunday was 34 minutes long with
an average depth of 53 feet and, to meet the depth
requirement of the course, a maximum depth of 98 feet.
After a 90-minute surface interval, the divers began their
second dive of the day, which focused on search-and-
recovery skills. It was a 48-minute dive with an average
depth of 50 feet and a maximum depth was 63 feet. The
diver reported nonstressful dives with minimal exertion
besides following and monitoring his students. The dives
were within recreational limits, and his dive computer
was in a conservative setting. His fastest ascent of the
weekend was at a rate of 29 feet per minute.
COMPLICATIONS
As everyone was packing up after the fifth and final
dive of the weekend, the diver began to experience a
RESEARCH, EDUCATION & MEDICINE
INCIDENT INSIGHT
64
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FALL 2016
Although symptoms after diving are not
always due to DCS, it behooves divers
who experience postdive symptoms
to contact DAN and seek medical
attention promptly. Avoiding denial can
greatly improve outcomes.
Self-Aware and Prepared
By Tara Narowski
STEPHEN FRINK