BRISBANE, Australia (12 Dec 2002) -- International studies reveal that at least one-third of recreational divers who suffer decompression illness dive within table limits. Decompression illness (DCI), which can result in paralysis and death, is caused when pressure changes lead to the formation of nitrogen bubbles in tissues and blood. Dive tables, including recreational dive planners, specify depth and time limits divers rely on to plan safe dive profiles. Dive table limits are mathematical calculations based on theoretical tissue compartments that are tested on a small segment of the diving population. But according to Dr. Gregory Emerson, a consultant in diving and hyperbaric medicine at the Royal Brisbane Hospital in Australia, many divers who dive within table limits still get the bends. | | "There are many predisposing factors," Dr. Emerson told CDNN. "We really don't know why some divers get bent and others don't." Dr. Emerson urged divers not to feel a false sense of security diving with tables and to seek immediate medical assistance whenever DCI symptoms are present. Dr. Emerson's warning was published in the journal of the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine following the recent scuba diving death of a young American mother on holiday in Australia. © CDNN - CYBER DIVER NEWS NETWORKSCUBA FORUMDISCUSS THIS TOPIC - Dive in and have your say at Scuba Forum |
