Altitude diving on a closed-circuit oxygen rebreather: A case report

Abstract

Closed-circuit rebreather diving is becoming more common. Rebreathers are complicated, adding to the stress of diving. Also adding to this complexity in the presented case is diving at a high-altitude cold-water reservoir in Colorado. One diver experienced an oxygen-induced seizure at depth. The other diver had a rapid ascent with loss of consciousness. As will be seen in this case, two experienced divers were able to recover from a possible devastating dive. Fortunately, they both returned to their pre-dive baseline health. Dive planning is important, but as in this case, dive execution is paramount. This is a clinical case for an uncommon event that presented to an emergency department.