The Chamber

The latest location to witness the crazies from Wraysbury was the The Diver Clinic in Reading!!

After a little detour round Reading......(Its not the easiest place to find!) we arrived at the Clinic, to be greeted by Spencer and his colleague Tim. If only they realised what they where letting themselves in for.

After the introductions including Paul's shocking admission that he only likes diving because of the rubber, Spencer began an interesting and informative lecture/discussion on DCI. This included the signs and symptoms, treatment , accident figures( there aren't that many !) and some cracking stories about the chamber and its visitors.(Don't worry no names were mentioned)

We then ventured to the Chamber.........after changing into our free t-shirts and jogging bottoms. Due to the nature of the chamber no out side clothing can be worn inside the tube.

 Due to the size of the chamber we split into two groups, so Duncan ,Yvonne,Clive, Paul and Arthur went in first.

The dives were to be to 7 metres for approx 20 minutes, the one the everyone noticed was how quickly you had to start equalizing , almost the moment we left the surface. Once moving the real fun began when you start breathing Heli-Ox(a combination of Helium and Oxygen). Lots of squeaky voices and giggling. Thanks to technology those outside the chamber can hear what's going on inside......and the windows give you an interesting view inside.....

This all made for an interesting experience........Then it was the second groups turn, Mark, Chantelle, Louise and Simon ventured into the tube. Twenty minutes and loads of giggles later they emerged.

An enjoyable and fact filled evening that gave us all an insight into how the chamber runs and how best to avoid going there in the first place.

We would like to thank the staff at the Diver Clinic for their time and patience with our motley crew, and for making such a serious subject good fun.