Decompression sickness in women divers.

The comparative incidence of DCS in women has been debated for years. Diving log data from the Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center (NDSTC), Panama City, FL, demonstrate that there is no increased risk of DCS among Navy female divers compared to their male counterparts. Twenty-eight female students were compared to their 487 male classmates on 878 air and helium-oxygen dives between 4.64 and 10.10 ATA (120 to 300 fsw). None of the women experienced DCS while 8 men developed DCS symptoms. The total duration of the dives ranged from 8 min to 2 h and 6 min; bottom times were less than 20 min. Theoretical inert gas supersaturation on these profiles are commensurate with those experienced on 40- to 60-min sport scuba dives.