This member, who had more than 900 lifetime dives, traveled to Mexico to experience some world-renowned wall diving. On his first evening there he performed a brief night dive to familiarize himself with the area. 

On his first full day of diving, the first dive was to 82 feet for about 30 minutes. The second dive was for to 53 feet for 42 minutes followed by a one-hour surface interval. The final dive of the day was a 77-foot dive for 54 minutes and included a safety stop. Reviewing his ascent rate, the diver thinks he came up too fast.

Upon surfacing after the third dive, the diver felt immediately disoriented and could feel his visual acuity degrade. He made it into the boat safely, took off his gear and started involuntarily bending forward. Temporary paralysis followed. 

The divemaster put the diver on oxygen immediately, and the boat made its way back into port so he could seek medical assistance. Symptoms had worsened and the diver had to be carried off the boat and into a waiting vehicle. He was driven to the local hospital and was admitted to the hyperbaric chamber on the premises.

The treating physician administered a USN TT6 hyperbaric treatment on the first day, and the diver stayed at the hospital overnight. Doctors suspected the diver had a patent foramen ovale (PFO) and performed several tests. A second USN TT6 treatment was provided on the second day, and the diver’s ability to walk was restored — although he was unsteady. Doctors agreed on additional treatments, and a third, shorter treatment was administered on the second day. On the third day at the hospital, the diver underwent a fourth hyperbaric treatment before being discharged.  

Upon leaving the hospital feeling better, the diver received images of his heart. Because of the repeated hyperbaric treatments, he was unable to fly for several days. After returning home he met with a cardiologist to discuss the images and any possible heart conditions. After undergoing additional tests, the diver learned he did not have a PFO, and his doctor cleared him return to diving later in the year. 

This member’s DAN Dive Accident Insurance Preferred Plan covered 100% of the $22,711.48 in medical expenses incurred from this incident. His return travel plans were fortunately unaffected, and he did not incur additional travel expenses.