DURHAM, NC – Divers Alert Network (DAN) is looking for divers and/or expeditions to get involved with in 2010 and to invite participants to take part in this observational, non-interventional field study. DAN will enroll adult volunteers, certified divers or students in the process of dive training and follow them during their regular field activities.
DAN is conducting a technical diving field study that will run through 2010. The purpose of this study is to document dive exposure, conduct ultrasound measurements of circulating venous gas emboli (VGE) and evaluate pre and postdive health status in divers of various experience levels and dive modes. The goal is to study those conducting extreme dives relative to the profiles completed by most recreational divers. Field studies in these areas began with pilot data in 2008 and continued in 2009. The most recent study was conducted at Inner Space at Dive Tech, a field research station for the technical dive study.
Accepted subjects will undergo a battery of anthropometric measurements as well as strength and fitness tests. They will complete a questionnaire regarding their health status and their previous diving experience. Participants will then be free to dive according to their own schedule, but each dive will need to be documented on personal dive computers that meet the standards for Project Dive Exploration. In addition to profile documentation, each participant will undergo postdive, precordial Ultrasound monitoring using standard protocols. For technical dives, the monitoring will start between 10 and 20 minutes after the end of the dive and continue at 20-30 minute intervals until no bubbles are detected. At the end of the day, all participants will fill out a standardized Decompression Health Survey.
DAN is primarily looking for 10-12 divers planning at least six days of diving to depths in the range of 210 ft (70 m) or more. Dives using both OC and CCR are acceptable. The most important thing needed by DAN is space to work either on a boat or on a land-based site, and a willing group of volunteers to participate. The commitment can be quite time consuming. But while this study requires a lot of the volunteer diver, the data collected on bubble formation as well as diver health and fitness is invaluable.
If you are a technical diver leading a technical diving trip or expedition, or if you are a diver involved in an expedition and believe you meet the study requirements, please contact DAN Research to learn more about the Technical Diving Study and its collection protocols. You can email Donna Uguccioni at duguccioni@dan.org or call 919-684-2948 ext. 627.
