Venous gas bubble formation and decompression risk after scuba diving in persons with chronic spinal cord injury and able-bodied controls

Abstract

Study design: Prospective study. Objective: To evaluate the formation of venous gas bubbles following open-sea scuba dives in persons with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI) and in able-bodied diving instructors (C) and to assess the risk for decompression sickness (DCS). Setting: Field study at the Island of Krk, Croatia. Methods: Gas bubbles were monitored with an ultrasound scanner 40 min after surfacing. The probability of DCS (P(DCS)) was estimated from the recorded depth-time profile using a decompression model. Results: Divers completed six dives in 3 days using a modified Bühlmann decompression model, and none developed signs of DCS. Mean P(DCS) was similar in both groups, SCI (0.51±0.2%) and C (0.64±0.27%), and was seen to increase with subsequent dives. Number of bubbles (bubbles per cm2) was low in both groups on all 3 days of diving. Conclusions: We have used the P(DCS) as a severity index of diving exposure. Overall, the severity of exposure in SCI subjects was consistent with the range of typical recreational dives, suggesting that the diving profile used is very safe. © 2008 International Spinal Cord Society All rights reserved.