SubscribeThe following article from the DDRC (Diving Diseases Research Centre) contains information on how Diving can effect Human Health.
Diving with Asthma
There are approximately 5.2 million asthma sufferers in the UK (1 in 10 children; 1 in 12 adults), around 1.2 million of which experience significant restrictions on their daily lives (source).
In 1991 Dr Peter Glanvill and Dr Patrick Farrell commenced data collection from divers who suffer with asthma. The aim was to determine whether or not asthma generally affects an individual's ability to participate in the sport of scuba diving, and whether the condition of asthma should be a factor in taking up or giving up the sport. In recent years the DDRC have been responsible for the data management and follow-up of divers on the project database. The results of the study have been published:
Glanvill P, St Leger Dowse M, Bryson P. (2005) A longitudinal cohort study of UK divers with asthma:diving habits and asthma health issues. South Pacific Underwater Medicine Society (SPUMS J) 35(1):18-22
Further information may be obtained by visiting the UK Sport Diving Medical Committee website at http://www.uksdmc.co.uk.
Diving with Diabetes
About 3% of the UK population have Diabetes mellitus. Developments in the treatment and control of diabetes have improved the quality of life for many diabetics. Dive organisations are now reconsidering their policies regarding diving with diabetes in light of these new levels of control.
A longitudinal study of people with diabetes who dive was initiated by Dr Chris Edge in 1991. The purpose of the study was to survey the outcomes and practices of divers with diabetes. Since 1995 the study has been conducted in collaboration with DDRC. Data have been gathered annually from divers suffering from diabetes, using questionnaires regarding their diving histories, diving habits and the management of their diabetes. Recent analysis of the information gathered shows that in a group of well-controlled diabetic divers there were no problems due to hypoglycaemia when they dived (CJ Edge, M St Leger Dowse, P Bryson, 2005). The study supports the opinion that some relaxation in the constraints applying to divers with diabetes may be reasonable.
Edge,C.J.; St Leger,Dowse M.; Bryson,P. (2005) Scuba diving with diabetes mellitus--the UK experience 1991-2001 Undersea Hyperb.Med. 32 (1): 27-37
Further information may be obtained by visiting the UK Sport Diving Medical Committee website at www.uksdmc.co.uk.
Diving with Disabilities
In 2002 DDRC published a 201 page report on data from the '1998-2000 Survey of Scuba Diving for Disabled Divers and divers with other conditions that may affect their diving (injuries, surgery & disease)'. The study was the first of its kind in the world, and the report explains the Disability Discrimination Act (1995) in detail and reviews the attitudes, practices and experiences of amateurs and professionals towards training disabled people to scuba dive. Additionally, disabled people share their experiences of finding and participating in training and scuba diving.
Shelly, S., St. Leger Dowse, M., and Bryson, P. (2002) The report on the data from the 1998-2000 survey of scuba diving for disabled divers and divers with other conditions that may affect their diving. Published by DDRC. ISBN 0 9525152 2 9