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From: ST101921%BROWNVM.BITNET@mvs.oac.ucla.edu (Jack Rozel)
Newsgroups: sci.med.aids
Subject: Almost the last word on Diving and HIV...
Message-ID: <1991Jan28.120119.22204@cs.ucla.edu>
Date: 28 Jan 91 03:05:13 GMT
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This is a brief apology and a brief preview:
   First I apologize that this posting is so late after the original bulliten,
I just got back to school, and I have a ton of stuff to do.  Actually, I will
have a formal, extensive posting on Diving and AIDS soon, this is only a
preview.  I run an Underwater Operations Consulting firm in my spare time,
and I have done a fair amount of research on minimum qualifications and expec-
tations for divers with some type of physical/psychological/medical deficit.

   And the preview (Specific point responses):
    1.I have not heard of any complications of AZT (Ziduvine) resulting from
high-pressure exposure to oxygen or any of the common inert gases.  I'm still
checking.
    2.ANY NARCOTIC USE IS AN ABSOLUTE CONTRAINDICATION!  There is no sidesteppi
ng this:  High pressure nitrogen can cause severe narcosis past depths of 100
fsw (actually the narcosis is a gradual buildup, and starts as shallow as 5 fsw
) and any other narcotic in the bloodstream amplifies this effect and can incap
acitate a diver in considerably shallower depths.
    3.About Pocket Masks: The gentleman who said that the diver should tell the
divemaster so that the divemaster could have a pocket mask on hand.  I've been
a diver for 6 years and involved with the EMS for 3; a pocket mask should alrea
dy be on hand, anyhow:  they greatly simplyfy the mechanics of resuscitation,
especially in-water resuscitation.  All divers should not only know CPR, but
I believe that they should be trained in the use of, and carrying, a pocket
mask.  If needed, a snorkel (no purge valve) makes a decent field substitue.
    4.Hyperbaric Chambers usually go to a Maximum of 165 fsw (6 ata);  Seachris
t monoplace chambers usually don't go much past 40 fsw (2.3 ata).
             >>>>>>   MORE TO COME !  !  !   <<<<<<
By the way, I am a diving consultant, and usually charge big bux, but I conside
r fighting HIV discrimination a pretty worthwhile pro bono cause.  If I can be
of any service:
Jack Rozel  <ST101921@BROWNVM.BITNET>  :               I
POB 3088 Brown University              :           Don't Know
Providence, RI 02912                   :        any good quotes.
Voice Phone: 1 401 863 4967            :             Sorry.