Effect of Hyperbaric Environment on Pulmonary Function in Professional Divers

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Peachapong Poolpol
Pornchai Sithisarankul

Abstract

Diving may cause a number of adverse effects on health. Divers should strictly follow the rules to ensure their safety and avoid any possible adverse outcomes. The in-water hyperbaric environment directly affects partial pressure of the breathing gas, which results in changes of body systems, in particular respiratory system. Professional divers who work under hyperbaric conditions for a lengthy period may experience substantial effect to change their lung function. Pre-placement and periodic health examinations are essential to evaluate their readiness to work. Recent evidences about changes of lung function in Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) and Forced Expiratory Volume in 1st second (FEV1) are still inconclusive. Nevertheless, most studies demonstrate a slight depletion, 2% over 5 years, in FEV1/FVC ratio (FEV1%) which might suggest air trapping in divers’ lungs. Furthermore, maximum mid-expiratory flow (FEF25-75%) significantly decreases between 23 to 146 ml/year, which reflects possibility of small airway diseases in divers. The findings raise the concern of increasing risks of pulmonary barotrauma in divers.

Article Details

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Academic Article

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