survey

Scuba diving and Pregnancy: Is Another Study Justified?

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The possible effects of scuba diving on pregnancy have been a concern since the sport began. The main concern is that decompression may cause occurrence of free gas that could hurt the fetus. Indeed, it was shown in sheep that circulating bubbles do occur in maternal and fetal circulation, even when the mother does not display signs of decompression sickness. As such, the general advisement issued is not to dive while pregnant.

Unfortunately, most women become aware of their condition weeks or months after conception and some after they have already dived. This raises concerns about possible damage to their fetus and women often seek counseling after the fact. In an era of evidence-based medicine, it does not suffice to offer good wishes. However, the evidence about safety of diving while pregnant or damaging effects on outcome of pregnancy is not available.

In the past  several survey-based studies queried about exposure and outcome, but most came up short of conclusions, because, wisely, most women stop diving when they learn they are pregnant. Thus, there are few reported cases of pregnancy exposed to diving and the exposures are limited to a small number of dives. This further limits the ability to detect a possible small increase in frequency of adverse outcomes above the baseline rates. Thus, it seems that another survey is justified if it could provide a sufficient sample size to achieve reliable conclusions.

Dr. David Baud, MD, PhD, specialist in obstetrics, gynecology and materno-fetal medicine from Lausanne, Switzerland, proposed an international survey that could reach enough women who had inadvertently dived in pregnancy to yield sufficient data to detect even small increases in rates of possible adverse events.  The study is supported by International DAN organizations: DAN Europe, DAN America, DAN Southern Africa and hopefully by others. Researchers from these organizations are co-investigators on the study, but most the important support will be that of female divers from all over the world.

If you are a female diver, regardless if you are currently pregnant or not, please click and complete the survey. The survey is available in English and in several other languages. It is anonymous and it takes up to 10 minutes to complete it.

For more information about pregnancy and diving read:

Scuba diving and pregnancy: Can we determine safe limits?

The Risks of Diving While Pregnant

Post written by: Petar Denoble, MD, D.Sc.

DAN Investigates Implanted Cardiac Devices: Volunteers Needed

ImageIn a recent divers’ health survey that DAN conducted, 25 participants, or one in 200, reported having an implanted pacemaker device. The median age of divers with implanted devices was 64 (39 to 90) years and 95% were male. We did not anticipate this and the survey did not ask about reasons for pacemaker implants, but we have learned something about their health status.

  • About 64% active divers with pacemakers were either overweight or obese.
  • 22 reported that they regularly participate in vigorous exercise such as running, biking, swimming, weightlifting, etc.
  • Half were diagnosed with hypercholesterolemia, 9 with hypertension and 4 with diabetes.
  •  Few still indulge in some high risk habits such as heavy drinking and tobacco smoking.
  • When asked to describe their general health, one participant answered it was excellent, 12 very good, 10 good, and one diver said that his health was fair or poor.

Five of the respondents with implanted pacemakers had basic certifications, 16 had advanced and four held instructor-level diving certifications. In terms of diving habits, the respondents with implanted pacemakers reported they:

  • Perform about 30 dives per year (median)
  • Have been active divers for an average of 20 years
  • Have logged a median of 460 total lifetime dives per diver.

Divers with pacemakers don’t seem to be less active than other divers, but we did not explore the circumstances and severity of their dives. We did not ask about specific symptoms or manifestations related to underlying conditions for which they received the pacemaker nor about possible unwanted side effects of pacemakers.

 Volunteers with Pacemakers Needed

This is why DAN designed a new study to learn about specific issues experienced by divers with pacemakers choosing to dive with or without medical clearance. DAN is looking for volunteers to participate in the “Diving Experience of Divers with Implanted Cardiac Devices” study, which consists of an online survey that takes approximately 10 minutes to complete, in addition to a possible follow-up interview if clarification is needed. If you would like to participate in this investigative study, ongoing through August* 2013, please contact DAN Research (919-684-2948 or research@dan.org). Participants will not be compensated for participation.

Post written by: Petar Denoble, MD, D.Sc.

*NOTE: This study has been extended through November 2013.