Decompression Sickness--What is it and how can you reduce risk

End Shallow, making the deepest part of the dive first and then slowly rising to 15 feet over the course of the dive will act as decompression for the early part of the dive. Still do a 3-5 minute stop at 15 feet.

Avoid Bounce Profiles, minimizing the number of ascents and descents in a dive. Watch your depth to determine how you're managing your dive profile and if you do see something above you 10-15 feet, go up slowly to check it out.

Avoid Dehydration, drink those 8 glasses of water a day to thin your blood and help move the nitrogen through your system more efficiently.

Stay Warm, wear thermal protection on every dive even in the hottest tropical climates. The water is cooler than your body temperature of 98.6 degrees, so you are losing body heat every time you're in the water. Multiple dives can really lower your body temperature, shutting down circulation to your extremities. If those tissues have become saturated with nitrogen, there is less blood flow to carry it away.

Be smart about DCI, know the symptoms, reduce your risk, and be prepared for emergencies by purchasing dive insurance. DAN has an excellent program that has worked for thousands of divers and they are a 24-7 resource for DCI information and symptom evaluation. Find them on the web at http://www.diversalertnetwork.org
© 2003 Linda Gettmann

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