Most divers go to great lengths to prevent decompression sickness. Even so, and even when all precautions are taken against it, DCS sometimes occurs, leaving questions in its wake. While there is no substitute for proper medical evaluation, you should find the following information helpful, whether you’ve suffered DCS, or if you are simply learning more about the illness.
Understanding DCS: A Vital First Step
Before you consider taking another giant stride, take the time to learn about what causes DCS. Simply understanding the mechanics behind the illness can help you to take necessary precautions against it. If you’ve been through a DCS episode, then you know that you want to avoid physical discomfort and associated risks. Depending on how greatly you were affected, you should be aware that returning to diving too quickly; and diving too deep after DCS can cause re-injury to affected tissues.
Medical Clearance
Get your doctor’s OK before you return to diving. He or she may recommend a cardiac Doppler test to ensure that the delicate tissues between your heart’s chambers are undamaged, and additional tests may be conducted to ascertain that you are 100-percent fit to dive.
The First Dive
When you return to the water after decompression sickness, make plans to follow an extremely conservative dive profile. Once underwater, pay very close attention to every sensation you are feeling. Yes, you’ll want to enjoy your dive, but you’ll want to watch for tingling sensations, slight pains, and feelings of pressure outside what you normally experience.
Keep close tabs on your physical condition after the first dive, too, reminding yourself that DCS can take some time to manifest. Play it safe by taking only one dive the first day, then, keep tabs on those physical sensations that might indicate that you are experiencing DCS. While you certainly don’t want to succumb to paranoia, it is vital that you not overlook any potential problem.
Keep Diving
Once you know you’re out of the woods, keep diving. However, continue to follow conservative dive profiles, particularly if your case of decompression sickness was a bad one. If you were diving deep wrecks and caves before, you may have to come to terms with the fact that many deep divers who experience severe DCS can never return to aggressive diving techniques, and must either choose not to dive at all, or elect to stick with shallower, shorter, more conservative dives.
You can minimize the risk that you’ll suffer from another bout of decompression sickness by making extra-long safety stops, keeping your body well hydrated so gases are flushed from your tissues rapidly, and exercising caution when planning long vacations. Instead of diving all day, you may have to settle for a single dive in the morning, followed by a day of tourism, and perhaps a shallow night dive.
Remember, DCS can happen to anyone, and many divers who have suffered from the illness have successfully returned to the sport we all enjoy so much. By taking appropriate precautions and monitoring yourself carefully one you return to diving, you can reduce your risk of future complications.