@article{ref1,
title="A survey of scuba diving-related injuries and outcomes among French recreational divers",
journal="Diving and hyperbaric medicine",
year="2019",
author="Monnot, David and Michot, Thierry and Dugrenot, Emmanuel and Guerrero, François and Lafère, Pierre",
volume="49",
number="2",
pages="96-106",
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. <br><br>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. <br><br>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. <br><br>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.<br><br>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.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1833-3516",
doi="10.28920/dhm49.2.96-106",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.28920/dhm49.2.96-106"
}