re: US Army Deep Sea Driver

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Pressure induced bone disease. Nitrogen bubbles form in the bones and turn them into Swiss cheese. Usually the hips are most affected. Not something a recreational diver ordinarily has to worry about. It takes years of exposure at depth. Typically an occupational hazard of commercial and military divers. Modern, more accurate dive tables supposedly mitigate the risk.

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It’s called DON, Dysbaric Osteonecrosis.
I suffer from it and it f-ing sucks.

The nitrogen build up in the ends of the big bones kills the bone’s ability to pass synovial fluid to the joints, leading to premature cartilage wear.

Got it primarily from a spearfishing dive in the Red Sea where we were using Navy dive tables for the hunt.
Stayed at 150 for 2 minutes too long, and at 80 for 3 mins too long. This was just before dive computers became popular. Was doing my last safety stop at 20 ft when I knew something was wrong. Badically the onset of “The Bends” but not full blown. When I hit the surface it felt like The Incredible Hulk had a shoulder in each hand and was crushing them with all his might. Made my kidney stone feel like a walk in the park by comparison.
Got back to the vehicle (shore dive) and took a boatload of aspirin to relieve the symptoms. Probably should have gone to the chamber in town to help but I was too young and dumb. Figured the worst was over.

Have had 6 shoulder surgeries, including 4 replacements through the years. Knee’s are almost bone on bone and hips are probably going as well.


Chit happens …,