A survey of scuba diving-related injuries and outcomes among French recreational divers

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.

Scientific shallow saturation dive expedition using diving rebreathers and a specific dry habitat: medical management of the “Capsule” programme

“…Barotrauma and decompression sickness (DCS) appear to be the most common bounce diving related injuries [6]. However, staying in closed, wet and helium hyperbaric environment for a long time would expose to inherent health problems, such as fluid balance and haemodynamic dysregulation, infectious risk, hypothermia, nutritional aspect or psychological intolerance [1].…”

The Influence of Sociodemographic Characteristics and the Experience of Recreational Divers on the Preference for Diving Sites

“…Particularly, divers of other ethnicity and the ethnicity of Malaysian Chinese consider themselves more experienced than those of Malay and Indian ethnicity when diving in Malaysia. Likewise, an evaluation of the diving experience of French recreational divers found that gender greatly influenced their diving experience [47]. Men had a higher level of diving experience compared to women.…”