David Monnot1, Thierry Michot2, Emmanuel Dugrenot3, François Guerrero1,4, Pierre Lafère3. 1. EA4324 ORPHY, Institut Brestois Santé Agro Matiére, Université de Bretagne Occidentale, Brest, France. 2. EA3149 LABERS, Institut Brestois des Sciences de l'Homme et de la Société, Université de Bretagne Occidentale, Brest. 3. EA4324 ORPHY, Institut Brestois Santé Agro Matière, Université de Bretagne Occidentale, Brest, France. 4. Corresponding author: François Guerrero, EA4324 ORPHY, 6 Av. Le Gorgeu CS 93837, 29238 Brest Cedex 3, France, francois.guerrero@univ-brest.fr.
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. 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.
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. 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.
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