On Monday, September 17, 2001 12:07 PM, Angelo Pardinas wrote:

(snip)
>      Well I wasn't asking for a medical opinion - I did write in my email
> that I called up the Singapore Hyperbaric Centre (listed in the DAN card)
> and talked to a doctor. I just wanted to hear the experiences of divers
> here - how you guys coped up with 'slight' DCS-like symptoms ? If you guys
> call up DAN at the slightest hint of a symptom (becoming too paranoid) or
> if you guys wait for a few days (becoming too complacent) etc ....

Angelo!  There's a common tendency to regard DCS in the same light as a
sexually transmitted disease:  It's something that a lot of people are
loathe to freely discuss, particularly if - with the benefit of hindsight -
they've either pushed the tables, or the proper pre-/post-dive procedures.
:-)

It's often stated that 'denial' is one of the first indications that a
person may be suffering a bend.  Particularly when any manifested symptoms
appear to be at the milder (Type 1), end of the scale. i.e. itching, rashes,
extreme tiredness, etc., when there's always the hope that the condition
will resolve itself and be shown to be the result of other causes.  (Peeing
in your wet-suit, for example, may cause skin rashes!) :-)

The only good advice that any medical lay-person like myself can give is
that if you feel anything other than fit and well following a dive, then you
seek out proper and appropriate advice immediately.  It's in every diver's
best interest to do so.  DCS is not a STD!  :-)

Strike