Elite Breath-Hold Divers and Short-Term Memory

The superior performance of elite breath-hold athletes could be attributed to their inherited biophysical characteristics, and some metabolic enhancement induced by training. However, they could be susceptible to short-term memory impairment.

Freediver swims down next to a high wall of coral

Getting Closer to a Complete Understanding of Decompression Sickness

While we know that there is an association between post-decompression occurrences of gas bubbles in body tissues and decompression sickness (DCS), we still do not know where the bubbles originate from, why they do not occur in all divers on the same dive, and how they lead to DCS.

Three divers dive together at twilight

Identifying Swimming Induced Pulmonary Edema

Swimming induced pulmonary edema (SIPE) may occur in healthy subjects during or immediately after swimming and exercise. If not recognized, symptoms which are typically initially mild, may quickly worsen and become life threatening.

Female swimmer swims laps in pool

Venous Gas Bubbles in Breath-Hold Divers

Venous gas bubbles in breath-hold divers remains a focus of researchers. Data from bubbles detected in divers will be used to better understand and correct decompression algorithms.

A freediver swims through a school of fish

Breathing Gas Contamination

Breathing gas contamination is a serious problem, with serious symptoms. However, health effects differ based upon the contaminant. Learn more about the symptoms and how to prevent.

Green oxygen cylinder needs refilling

What’s Left to Learn About Bubbles?

New technologies may help us to learn more about post-decompression bubbles dynamics and get closer to the personalized approach in prevention of decompression sickness (DCS).

A female diver is holding onto a line and is surrounded by bubbles

Outcomes of Decompression Illness

While it is generally accepted that sooner recompression is associated with better outcomes, the urgency of treatment may not be same for all cases.

The inside of a hyperbaric chamber is padded and no one is in it.

Repeated DCS and the Efficacy of Counseling

A study on Belgian decompression sickness (DCS) cases looked at patent foramen novale (PFO) presence, patency of present PFOs, and personality traits in divers who suffered cerebral DCS one or more times.

One diver swims near giant school of fish