Account of a Diving Accident and Hyperbaric Chamber Treatment

A few weeks ago, after a dive that seemed completely ordinary, the first signs of decompression sickness appeared quickly. This situation led me to the hyperbaric ward at Sainte-Anne Hospital in Toulon, where I experienced treatment in the chamber. I share this experience with you.

A dive with friends at Sec du Sarranier

That Saturday, the sun was shining and the absence of wind promised an ideal day for a dive with friends. Our destination: Sec du Sarranier, located between the island of Porquerolles and the island of Port-Cros. Conditions were favorable, with weak currents. We made a brief incursion of 4 to 5 minutes at 38 meters, then the rest of the dive took place between 20 and 25 meters. We admired the groupers, moray eels swimming in open water, and schools of sardinellas dancing around the purple gorgonians. After observing our stops, we calmly ascended on board after spending a bit more than 30 minutes underwater. Thanks to my dry suit, January’s cold was not felt.

The first symptoms

Climbing up the ladder, without my tank, I felt a slight sciatic pain, a sensation I was well familiar with. At the time, I paid it no attention. I began storing my equipment while participating in our dive debriefing, a typical routine.

However, the situation quickly became much less ordinary. About twenty minutes after getting out of the water, I felt tingling in my left leg. I immediately alerted my friends, as I knew something was wrong. The tingling intensified. I drank water to stay hydrated, but the unpleasant sensations continued to worsen and spread to my right leg.