Citation

Monnot D, Michot T, Dugrenot E, Guerrero F, Lafère P. Diving Hyperb. Med. 2019; 49(2): 96-106.

Affiliation

EA4324 ORPHY, Institut Brestois Santé Agro Matière, Université de Bretagne Occidentale, Brest, France.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, South Pacific Underwater Medicine Society and European Underwater and Baromedical Society)

DOI

10.28920/dhm49.2.96-106

PMID

31177515

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Few studies are available to appreciate the broad spectrum of dive-related injuries (DI), which are not limited to decompression illness (DCI) and fatalities. Studies supporting injury-management efficacy from early recognition to first-aid, final treatment and outcome are also lacking. This study aims at making an epidemiologic inventory of DI among French scuba divers.

METHODS: This online, retrospective, cross-sectional survey analyzed self-reported symptoms, context of occurrence, initial response and outcome. The relationships between symptoms and diver characteristics were assessed and severity scores created from the reports.

RESULTS: A total of 799 divers responded, of whose questionnaires 784 were sufficiently complete to be analyzed. Approximately one-third (35%) of respondents had never experienced a DI. DCI-like symptoms represent a small fraction of DIs, the most commonly reported being ear barotrauma. Self-reported symptom rates decreased with increasing age and male sex. The ranking dive leader was the primary care provider in 58% of reports and 32% of injured divers never sought help. Management decisions (first aid and/or hyperbaric oxygen treatment) were related to the severity score. Complete resolution was achieved in 84 (74%) of 114 DCI cases, whilst mild (n = 22, 19%) and severe (n = 8, 7%) residual symptoms were reported. One in 10 divers who did not seek treatment for symptoms believed to be related to DCI declared some residual symptoms.

CONCLUSION: Based on these results, diving injury rates may be higher than previously reported. However, the most frequent symptoms appear to be of only a modest nature.

Copyright: This article is the copyright of the authors who grant Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine a non-exclusive licence to publish the article in electronic and other forms.

Language: en

Keywords

Barotrauma; Decompression illness; Diving incidents; Epidemiology; First aid; Hyperbaric oxygen therapy