On a very wild and windy day, a small but dedicated group of Penrith divers trooped darn sarf to Murrayfield Hospital, Wirral for a visit to the hyperbaric chamber. The day began (after the group from Carlisle finally turned up!!) with a talk about the ways the chamber is used and the dangers of decompression illness.
Then we got to have a go ourselves! First we watched the monitors and dials as the first batch of 10 got taken to the pressure equivalent of 40m and back up again, with a lot of giggling and some 'interesting' views on the camera. Next it was our turn. We filed in and squished up cosily on the benches, putting our computers into the handily provided bucket of water so that they would register the 'dive' too. 'Descending' was an amazing experience with regular ear clearing needed as the temperature rose and the mix of helium in the air began to affect us. Much giggling ensued as we tried to have a sensible (but rather high pitched!) conversation as well as experimenting with whistling and testing the density of the air in front of us. After 10 minutes or so we began the 'ascent'. This again involved a lot of equalisation and a surprisingly chilly return from 30+ to 22 degrees but was taken slowly and carefully with plenty of safety stops - after all, you don't go to the chamber to get bent!
Last of all, we collected a stamp in our log books to remind ourselves of the experience and headed back into the tempestuous outdoors for the journey home. Another great experience experienced and a good time had by all.
Then we got to have a go ourselves! First we watched the monitors and dials as the first batch of 10 got taken to the pressure equivalent of 40m and back up again, with a lot of giggling and some 'interesting' views on the camera. Next it was our turn. We filed in and squished up cosily on the benches, putting our computers into the handily provided bucket of water so that they would register the 'dive' too. 'Descending' was an amazing experience with regular ear clearing needed as the temperature rose and the mix of helium in the air began to affect us. Much giggling ensued as we tried to have a sensible (but rather high pitched!) conversation as well as experimenting with whistling and testing the density of the air in front of us. After 10 minutes or so we began the 'ascent'. This again involved a lot of equalisation and a surprisingly chilly return from 30+ to 22 degrees but was taken slowly and carefully with plenty of safety stops - after all, you don't go to the chamber to get bent!
Last of all, we collected a stamp in our log books to remind ourselves of the experience and headed back into the tempestuous outdoors for the journey home. Another great experience experienced and a good time had by all.