What Researchers Did
Researchers retrospectively analyzed data from seven studies involving 220 man-dives using an 18-msw air dive profile from Royal Navy Table 11 to assess post-dive venous bubbles and decompression sickness.
What They Found
Bubble measurements from 219 dives showed an overall median grade of KM/EB 0.5 and a median maximum grade of KM/EB 2. Two cases of transient shoulder discomfort (0.9%) were observed, and one neurological decompression sickness case occurred, for which no bubble data was available. The observed decompression sickness risk for this dive profile was lower than predicted by models and expected from other large datasets.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian recreational and professional divers using similar 18-msw air dive profiles may find reassurance that the risk of decompression sickness appears lower than previously modeled. However, divers should always adhere to established safety protocols and seek immediate medical attention for any post-dive symptoms.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection as it was not conducted in Canada, nor did it involve Canadian participants or specific Canadian diving tables.
Study Limitations
A key limitation is the retrospective nature of the analysis, and that bubble measurements were unavailable for the single neurological decompression sickness case.