M Me ec ch ha an ni is sm ms s o of f r re ed du uc ce ed d p pu ul lm mo on na ar ry y f fu un nc ct ti io on n a af ft te er r a a s sa at tu ur ra at ti io on n d di iv ve e E. Thorsen, K. Segadal, B.K. KambestadMechanisms of reduced pulmonary function after a saturation dive. E. Thorsen, K. Segadal, B.K. Kambestad. ERS Journals Ltd 1994. ABSTRACT: Deep saturation diving has been shown to have prolonged effects on pulmonary function. We wanted to assess the relative contribution of various factors that could contribute to these effects.Pulmonary function was, therefore, measured before and after 17 different saturation diving operations to depths of 5-450 m of sea water, corresponding to absolute pressures of 0.15-4.6 MPa. Four to fifteen divers participated in each operation. The measurements included static and dynamic lung volumes and flows, transfer factor of the lungs for carbon monoxide (TLCO), and closing volume. The dives were characterized by the cumulative hyperoxic and hyperbaric exposures, and the load of venous gas microemboli encountered during decompression was measured in 41 divers in three dives to 0.25, 1.2 and 3.7 MPa.TLCO was reduced by 8.3±7.0% mean±SD after the dives, this correlated with cumulative hyperoxic exposure and load of venous gas microembolism, independently of each other. Closing volume was increased and forced mid-expiratory flow rate reduced, in correlation with cumulative hyperoxic exposure. An increase in total lung capacity correlated with cumulative hyperbaric exposure.We conclude that hyperoxia, hyperbaria, and venous gas microembolism all contribute to the changes in pulmonary function after a single saturation dive, and all may explain some of the long-term effects of diving on pulmonary function.
Forty commercial saturation divers, mean age 34-9 (range 24-49) years, were examined one to seven years after their last deep dive (190-
Neurological signs and symptoms were recorded from 156 air and saturation divers and 100 controls. Fifty one (33%) of the divers had had symptoms from the central nervous system during decompression. Also, 22 (14%) had been unconscious while diving. In total 79 (51%) had had decompression sickness (DCS). Twelve (8%) of the divers and no controls had had specific neurological symptoms (vision disturbances, vertigo, reduced skin sensitivity) in non-diving situations, and six (4%) of the divers (no controls) had had episodes of cerebral dysfunction (seizures, transient cerebral ischaemia, transient amnesia). The divers had significantly more general symptoms from the nervous system and more abnormal neurological findings than the controls. The most prominent symptoms were difficulties in concentration and problems with long and short term memory. The most prominent abnormal findings in the divers were compatible with dysfunction in the distal spinal cord or nerve roots, and polyneuropathy. The general neurological symptoms and findings were independently significantly correlated with diving exposure, prevalence of DCS, and age.Diving is a unique occupation; every time a diver surfaces from a depth of more than 10 metres of seawater (msw), he must follow a decompression procedure to avoid decompression sickness (DCS); DCS has been classified as type 1 (DCS 1), which includes musculoskeletal pain, and type 2 (DCS 2), which includes symptoms from the nervous system.' Divers are subject to increasing hyperbaric pressure on all organ systems; they are influenced by increased pressure of nitrogen in air diving, by inert gases in saturation diving, increased pressure of oxygen, and also to possible toxic agents in the diving environment. All of these factors may present a hazard to the divers.Rozsahegyi found that 75% of caisson workers with DCS 2 had residual neurological signs or symptoms.2 Dolmierski et al found that 30% of a group of air divers had abnormal neurological findings, although only half of them had had DCS.' Varnes et al found that 20% of saturation divers had neuropsychological deficits after a mean of 3-4 years of diving.4 The present paper appears to be the first report of neurological symptoms and findings by neurological examination in a non-selected group of commercial saturation divers. The study was part of the national research programme on long term health effects of diving. Methods DIVERSOne hundred and fifty six male commercial divers were examined. Mean age of the divers was 33-6 (range 21-49) years. The only inclusion criterion for the divers was a record as a commercial diver for at least one year. One hundred and forty three had a permanent address in Norway, and 13 were living abroad but worked in Norway. One hundred and six Norwegian divers employed by diving companies were invited by a personal letter to participate and some of them were contacted by telephone. The secondary response rate was 72% (76 divers). The rest were invited by advertising. At that time there were 294 Norwe...
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.