Another interesting diving incident as posted on the rebreather group.

Note the fact he is relatively young and physically fit!

Keep that blood sugar UP! Eat man Eat!

Hell, even if you dont get DCS, losing vision and nearly fainting can't be too
good a thing when your diving!

take care

Blll

the following is the complete post (posted with the orginal authors permission)

Richard, and others, maybe the following incident will be
of interest - it is not rebreather related, it is a DCS
incident.

A client of mine had a screw up on a recent dive, 11 days okay
in Sodwana Bay, South Africa.

Profile:  Advanced Scuba DIver, regular diver, fairly
inexperienced, exceptionally fit, no known medical problems, 30
years of age.

Both dives on air

Dive 1:    Initial part of dive, down to 42 m (140 feet), very soon after
reaching max depth, started seen stars, started blacking
out, felt for anchor line, touched it, inflated BC, probably did
a fast ascend to 10m (33 feet) where he "came to" again.  Stayed
a bit, rejoined group at 25 m (84 feet), stayed for about 35 min,
ascended, short stop at 5m (15 feet), surfaced after 45 min.  Went
on oxygen.  Didn't feel good (no sh*t), various aches and pains, medically
examined by some doctor, chamber treatment according to
him not indicated (!)

Talked to him two days later when he phoned in a panicky state (I'm
in Cape Town), advised on contacting DAN or some
expert advise.  He didn't.

Dive 2:  Few days later.  Blacked out on 22m  (74 feet)...

Breathing difficulties at night, serious pain in arm pit, left
elbow pains, pins and needles.  No word until past
Saturday afternoon.  Had serious aches every time went

to altitude over mountain passes, which became better when
going down to sea level again.  Came out he didn't wan't to go for
recompression treatment due to financial implications.

On talking to him - adviced hime to contact hyperbaric specialist
as soon as possible, to contact medical aid to find out
whether he is covered.

Talked yesterday again - medical aid will cover, specialist
and DAN referred him for chamber treatment, even though
bit late.  I talked to him about diabetic history and related
problems in family.  None.  Asked whether they used
nitrox or something other than air, none, only air, considered
O2 toxidity.  Also considered stress levels and narcosis,
but it was warm, clear water, should have been relaxed
compared to his usual low visibility, icy cold dives.

Seven hour treatment yesterday, blacked out three times
while on oxygen at 18m (60 feet), had blood sugar level
checked while under treatment.  Much below average.
Some diabetic chocolate bars provided, restored
blood sugar level, was fine for rest of treatment.

Asked him this morning about eating habits on holiday,
turned out he was late for dives, didn't eat, only some biscuits and
black coffee.  In Cape Town, diving with me, never had problems,
but he ate quite a bit here before our dives.

He's fine at moment, all symptoms resolved.

- Gerrit