Hello everyone,
I wanted to share my experience with decompression sickness (DCS) type 2, which I suffered from about six months ago. What many people don’t realize is that the majority of DCS cases happen to divers who follow all the safety protocols, as I did. I dove within all the recommended safety limits, performed my safety stop, don’t drink or smoke, and I maintain good physical health. Additionally, I was tested for a patent foramen ovale (PFO) and it came back negative. Yet, despite doing everything right, I still experienced DCS.
It’s important to understand that DCS can happen to anyone, regardless of whether you made a mistake or had a “perfect” dive. This isn’t about blaming or shaming anyone—it’s about supporting one another through the challenges DCS brings. Statistically, about 1 in every 10,000 divers experiences DCS under what is known as a “no fault hit” (as I was told this by DANS), and it’s a reminder that no one is immune, even when following all the recommended protocols.
As I’ve been navigating recovery, I’ve noticed there’s a lack of support and information for those of us who have gone through, or are currently dealing with, the effects of DCS. Whether it happened due to a mistake or not, the physical and emotional toll can be overwhelming. That’s why I’ve created a group dedicated to supporting DCS survivors. While I haven’t added any content yet, I’m hoping to get a lot of good input from those who’ve had similar experiences, as well as from medical professionals and possibly even DANS.
I’m also fairly new to creating a page like this, so if you have any suggestions for structuring it or content to add, I’d love your input. My goal is to build a space where we can share experiences, offer encouragement, and help one another.
Join the Facebook Group
To give you a sense of my journey, the picture attached is of me during my treatment. I went through five 5-hour hyperbaric chamber treatments and five additional 2-hour treatments. I spent 2.5 weeks in a hospital in Thailand, and while I’ve made some progress, I’m still dealing with partial paralysis and several other lasting effects from the DCS, many of which seem to be permanent at this stage.
I’d love to hear your thoughts and if you’d be interested in joining or contributing to
Beth Simeral Savage
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