stomach pain

[underh2ohio]

First of all being new to this site, I would like to thank everyone for sharing their knowledge on such a wide variety of subjects. This is awesome to see.

A few months ago I was with a friend new to the sport. he was a fast learner, and in one weekend was making 50 ft dives with no problem. The next weekend on about his third dive to 50 ft, he had a severe pain in the lower part of his stomach. He had never had this type pain before either underwater or above. The pain subsided somewhat as he rested out of the water. but never really went away the rest of the afternoon, so I advised him to quit for the day. The next weekend he was fine when we dove again.

Was this just gas that was trapped or something? I had no idea what to tell him. What should he do if this happens again?

Thanks, Mike

 

[sebastian]

Hi Mike,

I didnt have any idea of what the problem could be, but it also sounded to me as air traped.
I went to a scuba medicine site inside www.gulftel.com (search user pages then dive doctor) and they talk of a stomach problem that might be the case: It is produced by swallowing air while compensating your ears, so when you start to ascend this trapped and expanding air start pushing your "lower esophageal sphincter". It seems that if this is the case its nothing serius.
But check it by yourself or with a doctor, dont sue me if it is something else.

Regards,
Sebastian