Every time we dive we put our life at risk. Most of us will never get in trouble thanks to basic safe diving techniques now taught almost everywhere. However, some of us will get in trouble. Almost 60% of the divers treated every year for Decompression Sickness (DCS) have absolutely no idea why they got hit. Their computer did not get DCS, but they did. 

I did. 

In 2008 after five days of diving beautiful Palancar reef off the coast of Cozumel, Mexico, I felt really bad. Of course it couldn't be DCS. I always ascent slowly, always did my safety stop, always dive no-deco... But still it was. And luckily enough there was an hyperbaric chamber on the island...

So anyway, for those of us diving in Southern California, the USC Hyperbaric Chamber located on Catalina is running their annual fundraiser. Check out their website for more info. There are several ways to donate (it's tax deductible):

- Come to chamber day, dive around Catalina, the proceedings will go to the chamber!

- Come to chamber night, spend the evening at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach with your fellow divers!

- Make a donation and challenge your friends to match it up at the Chamber Challenge!

- Dive on the Flying Dutchman. Make sure you understand what you're signing up for before registering for the Dutchman, this is kind of an advanced dive :)