A few NBers travelled to Halifax to tour the Hyperbaric Chamber in Halifax on Friday. This tour was arranged by the Nervous Wrecks of Cape Breton, and opened to non-members a couple of weeks ago. It was a very interesting and informative trip, and it was quite nice to learn that only 12 divers are treated each year - we're certainly the minority in the chamber!!!

The tour was led by Heather Johnson and Jim Perkins, who are both knowledgeable and humorous. Jim retired in 2000, but is now back on a casual basis, working the same (or more) hours. The chamber was opened on April 7th, 1984, at the request of and funding by, the (Federal) Government........ as the military chamber at Shearwater was no longer going to be available to the 'general public'. Jim Perkins was instrumental in its design and set up.

They report that the majority of the few divers who spend time in the chamber are engaged in urchin harvesting. The unit treats other conditions from gangrene to jaw and bone disease as a result of radiation therapy. Three persons (patients) plus an attendant can be accommodated in the
chamber. The chamber is certified to dive to a depth of 250ft, but most treatments take place at 33ft. A typical diver with neurological symptoms could dive to 165ft to minimize the size of the bubbles in their tissues.

For a list of 'diving doctors' (those qualified to give a proper dive medical) go to http://www.divercertification.com/physicians.asp. Please note that a "proper dive medical" is REQUIRED only for commercial divers, but if you have questions about a certain condition you may have, it wouldn't hurt to be in touch with someone on the list.

The staff did want to stress that recreational divers who exhibit any symptoms of decompression sickness should provide 100% oxygen (if available) while proceeding directly to the closest ER (or call 911). If you believe that you may be suffering from DCS, and the ER doctor "blows you off" you can phone the hyperbaric unit directly at 902-473-2220 and request to speak to the MD for the department. The staff is on call 24 hours a day, every day!! The doctor will return your call immediately, ask a few questions and make a decision on whether you should proceed to Halifax to be treated in the chamber. You should have your dive profile with you when you are speaking with the doctor, and if you do need to have chamber treatments, take your gauges and dive computer with you, so it can ride in the chamber with you!!

Just for a quick review, symptoms of DCS that the victim may notice are;
- unusual fatigue,
- skin itch,
- pain in joints and/or muscles of the arms, legs or torso,
- dizziness, vertigo, ringing in the ears,
- numbness, tingling and paralysis, and
- shortness of breath.

If you suspect a dive buddy has DCS, you should watch for these signs;
- blotchy patches on the skin,
- paralysis, muscle weakness,
- confusion, personality changes, bizarre behaviour,
- amnesia, tremors
- staggering.

Symptoms and signs usually appear within 15 minutes to 12 hours after surfacing; but in severe cases, symptoms may appear before surfacing or immediately afterwards. Delayed occurrence of symptoms is rare, but it does occur, especially if air travel follows diving.

One last note - if you think you need treatment, DON'T WAIT UNTIL THE MORNING!!! The staff would much prefer to go to work at 2am than 9am if it means saving a person from permanent disability.

For more information, check out http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/medical/articles/article.asp?articleid=65 (and DAN would be happy to take your phone calls in an emergency as well - Remember, +1-919-684-4DAN (-4326) accepts collect calls. DAN medical staff is on call 24 hours a day to handle diving emergencies.)