Page 58 - AlertDiver_Spring2013

56 | SPRING 2013
RESEARCH, EDUCATION & MEDICINE // I N C I D E N T I N S I G H T
The diver was an experienced, 43-year-old female
with more than 150 lifetime dives. She was
reportedly healthy and reasonably fit, and she
denied taking any medications regularly.
The diver
The dives were made in the ocean from a private vessel;
the diver breathed air and performed a three-minute
safety stop on each dive. The water temperature was 58˚F,
and the diver wore a drysuit with attached gloves. The
first dive was to 86 feet for 22 minutes. After a one-hour
surface interval, she made a second dive to 57 feet for
40 minutes. Despite her use of dry gloves, the diver’s
hands became cold, especially during the second dive.
At the surface she reported reduced sensation in both
hands with associated loss of grip strength. She and her
companions attributed the symptoms to being cold, and
they headed home.
Coming to Grips
with Symptoms
B y M a r t y M c C a f f e r t y , E M T - P , D M T
STEPHEN FRINK