AIM: The aim of the study was to evaluate drug use amongst French scuba divers. METHODS: An anonymous questionnaire was distributed to 220 people, out of which 106 responded. RESULTS: Fifteen percent of respondents were receiving long-term medication whereas 60.33% of respondents reported taking medication only occasionally when diving. Thirty-seven percent of respondents were taking prescribed medicines. Drugs consumed occasionally included analgesics (43.5%), corticosteroids (14.5%) and antiemetics. A detailed study of aspirin and steroid consumption revealed their misuse for performance-enhancing purposes, the level of risk varying with the type of diving activity. The influence of drug use on personal performance was recognised by 72.6% of divers, but only 59.4% considered that they were putting themselves at risk by self-medicating.
AIM: The aim of the study was to evaluate drug use amongst French scuba divers. METHODS: An anonymous questionnaire was distributed to 220 people, out of which 106 responded. RESULTS: Fifteen percent of respondents were receiving long-term medication whereas 60.33% of respondents reported taking medication only occasionally when diving. Thirty-seven percent of respondents were taking prescribed medicines. Drugs consumed occasionally included analgesics (43.5%), corticosteroids (14.5%) and antiemetics. A detailed study of aspirin and steroid consumption revealed their misuse for performance-enhancing purposes, the level of risk varying with the type of diving activity. The influence of drug use on personal performance was recognised by 72.6% of divers, but only 59.4% considered that they were putting themselves at risk by self-medicating.