Turks and Caicos Scuba and Snorkel Video

[jlnielsen13]

Hey RC,

Here is a video from my latest Dive trip to Turks and Caicos. Besides the Decompression Sickness and day in the Chamber, it was a great trip.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOkNDRNyS_E

Thanks,

Jim

[nogascans]

Nice video. Sorry to hear about the DCS. As a new diver (myself) wanting to learn all I can, can you elaborate on scenario that led to this?

Sincerely,

[snorvich]

Decompression Sickness? Can you elaborate? My recollection is that they did very conservative profiles.

[jlnielsen13]

Yeah,

It wasn't an especially eventful dive and it was my first time in about 35 dives using a dive computer. Every other time I would just go down and come up intelligently. The dive computer monitored your No Decompression time which never went below 12 for me, and made you do safety stops or the watch would set off an alarm.

Since I am a solo diver cause my wife doesn't dive I was paired up with the dive instructor for my "dive buddy" so I was very conservative.

Through research I found that thousands of divers every year get Decompression sickness while staying well within their limits.

It was very disappointing cause I had to cancel 4 future dives that week and of course the medical bill was over $4,000 ! !

Lastly, the mental aspect of the chamber and the breathing that you have to perform is the biggest mental test I have been through!

TERRIBLE! DO NOT GET DECOMPRESSION SICKNESS !!

- saddest of all is my dive career may be over, Dr. said only about 20% get back in the water. The chamber is that bad that people just don't mess with it again.

- Love diving though!

JIM

Originally Posted by nogascans

Nice video. Sorry to hear about the DCS. As a new diver (myself) wanting to learn all I can, can you elaborate on scenario that led to this?

Sincerely,

Originally Posted by snorvich

Decompression Sickness? Can you elaborate? My recollection is that they did very conservative profiles.

[snorvich]

I have had DCS (doing a rescue) and have nerve damage as a consequence.

[jlnielsen13]

Originally Posted by snorvich

I have had DCS (doing a rescue) and have nerve damage as a consequence.

That's terrible, sorry to hear that- I don't really notice any long term issues. A few tingles here and there.

Huge thumbs up on the rescue, bet that was a scary moment for all involved! How many times did you have to go in the chamber?

JIM

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by jlnielsen13

That's terrible, sorry to hear that- I don't really notice any long term issues. A few tingles here and there.

Huge thumbs up on the rescue, bet that was a scary moment for all involved! How many times did you have to go in the chamber?

JIM

I have done two rescues in my "professional career" and then discontinued that certification level for lots of reasons. Both rescues were at depth. Only once to the chamber but fortunately I carried DAN insurance and even more fortunately, there WAS a chamber. (I don't recommend this as a fun experience). My right hand still tingles and this was from 1987.

[jlnielsen13]

Yeah,

Definitely regretting not have DAN insurance.

-JIM

[indyjaco]

Is the Turks worth snorkeling at? There is a chance we will be there in February near Provo.

[jlnielsen13]

YES,

The last 5 minutes of my video are all taken while snorkeling.

Definitely worth it and some of the best beach access free snorkeling I have done. Coral Gardens is nice on the far and right side of the reef. Don't bother swimming the left side. Lots of cool stuff in the shallows.

Smith's reef is great if you can find it! Once you have found the sign look to your left while facing the sign. About 300 feet down on the beach are 3 "unfinished totem poles" sticking out of the sand. Go in just past the third pole and there is a nice reef there.

Thanks,

JIM

Originally Posted by indyjaco

Is the Turks worth snorkeling at? There is a chance we will be there in February near Provo.

[indyjaco]

Thanks Jim, much appreciated.