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FALL 2013
RESEARCH, EDUCATION & MEDICINE
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I N C I D E N T I N S I G H T
THE DIVEr
The diver was an experienced
48-year-old female with more than
300 lifetime dives. Her medical
history included hypertension
that was well controlled with a
single medication. She also took a
prescription drug to manage her
cholesterol. Her general health and
fitness were otherwise good.
THE Dives
The diver was on a trip at a popular
Caribbean island. The first four days
of diving consisted of two morning
dives each day. None of these
dives was deeper than 80 feet, and
all bottom times were within her
computer’s no-decompression limits.
Her second dive each day was to 60
feet or shallower, and she breathed
air on all the dives. On the fifth day,
her first dive was a multilevel one to
a maximum depth of 85 feet for a
total time of 40 minutes. The dive was
uneventful, and she exited the water at
approximately 11:30 a.m.
Within five minutes of surfacing,
the diver began to feel slightly short
of breath while she was removing
her equipment. This was followed by
soreness in her middle and upper back. As she was moving
her equipment she noticed reduced strength in her right arm.
Almost simultaneously both of her feet began to tingle, and
the sensation progressed up both legs to her waist. Fatigue
accompanied all these symptoms.
She reported the situation to the dive boat crew. They did
not act alarmed and suggested that oxygen was not necessary
because the reported weakness in her right arm resolved on its
own within 15 minutes. The diver chose not to participate in
a second dive. The other divers were in the water for an hour.
During that time her symptoms seemed to resolve, except for
the tingling in her feet.
Back at the resort the symptoms did not return, but the
tingling in her feet remained unchanged. She did not engage
in any vigorous physical activity that afternoon and, after
dinner, retired for the evening at approximately 9:45 p.m.
The Complications
At 11:30 p.m. the diver awoke due to acute discomfort in her
bladder. She discovered that she was unable to urinate and
upon reflection realized she had not urinated since the dive
that morning. She took a warm shower, during which she
became aware of unusual sensations in her feet and patchy
sensitive areas on her legs. She reported that her legs also
felt rubbery. As her concern grew she contacted DAN® and
spoke with the medic on call. Based on the evolution of signs
and symptoms she reported, the medic recommended that
she be evaluated at a nearby medical facility immediately.
Recognition is Essential
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
