Ritchie Goes Diving
In my previous post I talked about Ritchie and Tommy and I want to expand on Ritchies story a bit. It seems that the neighborhood I grew up in as a teenager had several commercial deep sea divers, so it was natural to be inspired by these men and want to go on the very same semi-romantic type of adventureism for yourself. Ritchie and me were two of those kids and he became a really great diver in his own right.
One of the things that make diving so dangerous is the possiblity of the bends in a way that cannot be repaired. What happens is a tiny bubble of oxygen or nitrogen that is normally in your bloodstream is allowed to expand so quickly that it lodges itself in a way that blocks bloodflow or puts pressure on a nerve in your central nervous system called a cns hit. To give you a simple idea of how this works imagine an ordinary balloon filled with air, then take that ballon underwater and the deeper you go the smaller it will get because of the water pressure increase surrounding the balloon. Return the balloon back to the surface and it will expand back to it’s original size! Well the exact same thing happens to the microscopic bubbles in your bloodstream, as you return to the surface they are aspirated out thru the lungs as you breathe. However if they expand too quickly meaning you are rising too quickly to allow them to aspirate out, then they may become lodged someplace and that is very, very bad.
Now Ritchie as it turned out happened to be one of those men that was most unfortunate in that he got a bubble in his central nervous system and it caused some damage in the nerves in his spinal cord. They were able to remove the bubble by recompressing him and then slowly decompressing to allow the bubble to pass normally out. However the nerve damage had been done and he was not able to walk any longer without the use of a cane. He had a very severe limp and a lot of numbness in one leg. He also could not be useful as a diver anymore and that was very sad, but he did go on to sue the company and was able to prove negligence in which he was awarded a huge sum of money and as far as I know is still wealthy today. His outlook on life after the accident was very good that I can recall and I still wish the man all the luck in the world.
Mardi Gras is getting closer kids and I am getting stoked up to bring ya guys lotsa slathery goodness about all the cool events coming up! Stay tuned!
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G’day Seven, Came via the “beautiful” Flirt. I have marched in two Sydney Mardi Gras and three Melbourne Pride Marches. Never in my life have I had so much fun, and had so many cuddles. We marched as a group under the “PFLAG” banner. Have fun, the “love” is certainly in the air come “mardi Gras” time.
*chomp*
you’ve been bitten.
Wow…. Mardi Gras? One of these years, I’m going to make it there for one.. wouldn’t it be odd to run into you and maybe not even know it?
Hey so no fair! You gotta tell us what the negligence was! Poor guy. I hope he was able to get some of his function back over time. The docs are hot on the trail of some promising nerve treatements these days so maybe in the next 10 years or so, some of this stuff can be fixed.
Celti= hehe ouchee!
angel= you know how to get in touch, my email is easily found, so running into me should not be “accidental” !
I would LOVE to meet anyone of you guys if you come to N.O.
Crazy= the negligence came in the way the dive controller at the scene interpreted the fairly complicated Tables of Decompression originally written by the US Navy and distributed for use worldwide. It tabulates how slowly a diver must return to the surface to avoid the bends. If it’s misused it can cause serious injury.
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That’s a sad story, at least he got some money out of it though.
Oh don’t remind me of Mardi Gras right now, it made me so jealous to be in New Orleans this weekend and know that it was only a week away for everybody there. We still have awhile to wait!
But my birthday is on Thursday, so I’ll be having some fun this weekend anyhow!
Good point that was. Darth Tater rulz!! Of course you can have one too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just in an exclamation type mood. Errr trying to be.
I think that painting is georgeous!
Oh, I also think RA above here might have the same affliction we do!
I truly cannot stop with it!
Hey seven - I wanted to get back to you about the anti-depressants. I am very verbal with my doctor on how I am mentally/physically, so we discuss these things. I am pro doing what needs to be done.
I haven’t gotten down or depressed - I am more just frustrated that I keep throwing everything up, ha. I still have three more months to go, so no telling.
The painting is niiice. Hope you are doing well. xoxox.
Lauren= i’ll have to swing by your blog Thurs. and make a special B’day wish!
Angel= haha !!!!!!!!! to you too!
Jamie= the painting IS amazing hey!
and yes i believe you are right
Cav= great to see ya and good that ya talk to them docs, and make sure ya keep em on their toes they are working for YOU after all hehe
*hugs and xoxo*
I have yet to attend a Mardi Gras…I plan to do so within the next 10 years or so.
I for one can’t wait to hear ’bout the debauchery……..let Mardi Gras commence!
I will be in New Orleans exactly 72 hours from now! I cannot wait! I peeped in on Veronica and said hello. Beautiful picture.
Poppy= hehe has Flirt kept ya busy all day??
Kristin= me either, not much is better than debauchery!
Laurie= hey hey and good to hear that!
let me know what you gonna be up to?
You are very into slathery stuff aren’t you? LOL.
Mardi Gras is a blast! Every guy who threw beads in my general direction got a lecture from my brother. “She is only 15 god damn it!!! She ain’t showing you her tits while I’m around!”
He didn’t even wear a sign that said “Lois’ Big Bro” so how the hell could they have known right?! LOL was still a really good time!
Lois Lane
If only Jeth and I could make it to Mardi Gras. I just want one more before I turn 30 and have to sober up. I guess there is a slim chance we could go, but with Jeth in clinic right now, slim may have left town.
Lois= slathery is my new favorite word, it conjures up all kind of cool and uhhm other kinds of thoughts lol
Zelda= awww that would be sooo awesome if you guys could come, really!!
i’m
stoked
Hi Lucky Seven,
Lovethe new Mardi Gras banner and the additional picture links within your post (how do you link another page to open in blogger??)
I visited Veronica - you are right, she is a dol and you are an angel for sending people her way - isn’t it justgreat how we can meet these wonderful people this way - someday we must all hook up on a “Blog Cruise!” Mark my words, I’m sure it will happen!!
That painting is tremendous, as is Veronica. I plan on making her a button next - hopefully she’ll like it:)
Thanks Seven for being such a great blog friend to everyone - you’re awesome.
Flirt
There’s something very creepy to me about diving. Especially the part where you put lead around your waist and then jump in the ocean. I’ve done it a few times, but it’s really not for the old gal chicken shit over here.
Sad story about your friend though. You see? Diving is scary.
Hey there you crazy cajun! I went to visit Veronica; love her site and her spirit. I’ll be linking her as soon as I get the lead outta my arse.
Is Mardi Gras ‘early’ this year?
Oh… and **snap**
You’ve just been bitten by the Cooter.
Flirt= Hi Hi and thank you for the kind words dear lady!
Suz= i have to agree with you 100%, it is kinda creepy in a way but it is also very exhilirating to me. I never became a full time diver but i did make some dives during my apprenticeship in fairly shallow water (less than 100ft) and all I can really remember is how exciting it was!
Ang= thanks! and yes it is early this year, the big day, Fat Tuesday, is on Feb the 8th and the parades are starting up this weekend. The first one I plan to attend is The Krewe de Vieux in the Quarter this Saturday night and I hope to have a few pics!
ooopsy! I went to Veronica’s and forgot to leave you a message!!! HI SEVEN!!! *waves furiously - shakes boobages*
*sigh* I need some debauchery. Got an extra bed I can crash in? Hell, I’ll sleep in the tub, I’m not picky!
If I could afford it I’d be there this year.. it sounds like a total blast!
*waves at seven* Hello!!!
I finally took the time to read this post. It was really interesting.
I tried to learn how to scuba dive in Hawaii back in 2001. I couldn’t do it. My ears are messed up and the pressure, OMG, I thought my head was going to explode. So, I lifted back up from the deep end of the pool and waded out. (sigh)
I have a friend who works at the Sea Life Park on Oahu. I could have gone diving in their scuba tank for free. Instead, I snorkeled with the sting rays. Ah well.
Oops Seven, I am sorry, was thinking about what I said then the “penny” dropped. The “mardi gras” that you are talking about is completly “different” to the two I mentioned. I am a “blonde” vegemietrules, sorry about that. Enjoy
Nanner= keep shakin’ them boobages at me! you know I love it!! **smooch**
Kristin= hehe if I thought you were serious i would say come on down and i’ll find ya a place to stay really!
vegemite= thanks for stoppin’ in and I would like to know more about parades in Aussie Land!
Jeanette= hi hi and you sound like you were at least a lot braver than most for just trying it out! and sorry about that comment at your blog, I promise to be more careful and I am not offended in the least that you had to edit what I said. Offending moms, even by accident is not a good thing! Snorkeling with stingrays sounds like tons of fun!
vegemite= hehe np and thanks again!
Angel= !!! how did you sneak in there!
*waves back* 
It’s talent… I’m a sneaky one when I wanna be…
Veronica is as talented as she is sweet! Sending you the biggest cyber hug ever!
Hey Seven!
I hope you’ve missed me.
I read a book about a diver that got the bends. It really is a horrible, horrible thing. He nearly lost his life. Thanks for the story!
-Reama
ps- diver talk is hott-tt-tttt. hahaha
Angel= just one of your many talents hey? hehe
Sandee= hi hi and great ta hear from ya! I will be looking at your blog often for updates, i will be back!
thanyka for tha hug too!
Reama= you nut, where ya been??
!!!!
How to answer without getting myself in trouble… I don’t think there is such a way…
I’m gonna live vicariously through you as you celebrate Mardi Gras. Do the locals resent tourists, other than the $’s? Santa Fe locals (natives) feel the implants are infringing on our city different, it will never be the same. It has lots its flavor these days, thx to the rich & famous. Spill sevenman.
Angel=
Veronica= ok by me!I plan on hitting Bourbon St this Saturday night for the Krewe de Vieux parade and if all goes well i may just run into a fellow blogger! I ain’t sayin any names but here is a hint, she always misses New Orleans! expect pics from the parade at Royal St either way!
You know, diving fascinates me. I recently read a book about a father and son team of deep divers who both end up dying from the bends. Very nasty stuff.
Thanks for the shout!
Man, I would love to see New Orleans again. I really enjoyed it every time we traveled there. Oh, and when exactly is Mardi Gras again?
Catt= thats a shame really a lot of men have died in that profession and i personally knew several of them which i will blog about later. and you are most welcome!
Jethro= the big day is Feb 8th and there is all kinda stuff happening this very weekend which i will be attending!
I have been to New Orleans once for Mardi Gras, in 92, my senior year. We had a blast. I haven’t been back since cause well now I have four kids and I don’t think it would be appropriate to bring them to that one, lol From the things I saw anyway,lol But we may go to the ones here in Lafayette or Houma, whichever my husband decides. Bye!
Leslie= ya unfortunately the quarter definitely isn’t the place for chillin’s on Mardi Gras weekend, but there is plenty of family style fun to be had if you go to the uptown areas like on St Charles Ave. or the area around Lee Circle, where there will be literaly hundreds of floats passing almost all day long! that is very exciting for kids and a great way to do Mardi Gras day!