Scubadoc's Ten Foot Stop

admin — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 15:26:41 +0000

Join us for Chamber Day 2011 – May 4th, 2011

Help support the USC Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber in its 37th year of service to the Southern California Diving Communities.

Chamber Day 2011 (www.ChamberDay.org) is only a month away. The 23rd annual Chamber Day and 13th annual Chamber Evening Fund Raiser for the USC Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber will be held on Wednesday May 4th.

For the past 37 years the USC Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber has been dedicated to the treatment of diving accidents on a 24/7/365 basis. Having the Chamber available gives divers in Southern California waters a vital safety net in the event of a diving accident.

The Chamber’s contract from LA County provides a little over 50% of the Chamber’s annual budget needs. The annual Chamber Day contributions from divers, clubs, shops, manufacturers, organizations, publications and dive boat operators provide a significant portion of the remaining budget.

These funds go to covering transportation of Chamber Volunteers to and from the mainland, treatment gas, equipment purchases, maintenance, and repairs.

If you haven’t already signed up for Chamber Day 2011 there are many ways you can participate:

Go diving and tour the Chamber with the 23rd Annual Chamber Day Dive
Attend the 13th Annual Chamber Evening Dinner at the Aquarium of the Pacific
Enter the Chamber Day Raffle and have a chance to win valuable prizes
Donate to the 2011 Catalina Chamber Challenge
Get your own print of our Limited Edition Original Chamber Day painting (matted or matted & framed)
Join the Ghostly Crew and “dive” The Flying Dutchman
Order Chamber Day & Chamber Evening Shirts and Posters On-Line

For more information on how you can be involved in Chamber Day 2011 visit the Chamber Day web site at www.ChamberDay.org or call 310-652-4990. To view a short video about Chamber Day, go to: “What is Chamber Day 2011?” on YouTube. You can also get updates on Chamber Day and other Chamber Events by becoming a Facebook Fan of the Chamber. Please forward this message to anyone you think might be interested in supporting the Chamber and participating in Chamber Day.

Thank you for your support.

Karl E. Huggins – Director, USC Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber

Iron Overload and scuba diving

admin — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 20:08:04 +0000

Here is a very interesting presentation from Martin Kirk.

“Please find attached an article on iron overload correlated to scuba diving. The long version (below) was reduced for publication in Jan/Feb 2011 issue of Scuba Diving magazine. Hopefully you will find the article interesting enough to consider posting it on scuba-doc.com as it relates to a potentially important health issue. most likely you would be interested in reading the NASA study on which my article is based…. http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/content/full/139/1/90

Points to consider…last year the NASA study provided me with a possible explanation for my extremely high iron levels after doctors had initially diagnosed hemochromatosis as the probable cause.
I would like to emphasize that it’s professional/commercial divers who make repetitive dives over an “extended period of time” (weeks or months as in my case) who need to be concerned about iron overload.
soon to be published NASA research confirms serum iron levels in astronauts in space and in the underwater habitat returned to normal in 3 months, as did my levels.

As a matter of interest, I am a healthy 54 year old male, don’t drink any alcohol or smoke or even eat red meat and lift weights and do interval training 5 days a week.
Lastly, it was suggested to DAN chief medical officer, Dr. Nick Bird, to conduct a study of the correlation between diving and iron overload but not sure if any study has been initiated.

Is Too Much Iron Dangerous for Divers?

NASA researchers recently quantified a number of physiological changes, previously detected in astronauts in outer space, in divers in an underwater habitat off the coast of Florida. In the underwater habitat during the nearly 2 week saturation dive at a depth of 19 meters, researchers detected a decrease in hemoglobin and hematocrit and an increase in body iron storage in divers. They also detected and measured, perhaps for the first time, an increase in serum iron levels.

NASA scientists hypothesize exposure to increased oxygen pressure during the dive indirectly caused neocytolysis or destruction of newly formed circulating red blood cells (you will recall from biology courses that hemoglobin protein binds to iron and transports oxygen in red blood cells). Implicationsof neocytolysis include a potential for increased release of iron into free form from the lysed RBC. Their results, published in a leading journal, are of concern to divers because excess iron in free form causes the formation of free radicals, which damage DNA and proteins. The health implications of increased body iron stores are well documented in medical literature and include liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, cardiomyopathy, diabetes and cataracts.

Fortunately, I became aware of this study, Body Iron Stores and Oxidative Damage in Humans Increased during and after a 10 to 12 Day Undersea Dive, published in The Journal of Nutrition, but not before some experienced anxious moments. I had just returned to USA from Palau, where I had been captain/dive master on a live-aboard for 7 months, and

went for a routine medical checkup. I requested an iron test be conducted along with the usual blood tests to check for anemia since I had recently cut red meat out of my diet. A few days later the lab results came back normal except for serum iron levels, which were quite elevated. My doctor informed me that iron overload produces nearly the same symptoms as anemia or low iron. He suggested the cause was most likely the primary hereditary disorder in Caucasians of northern European descent, hereditary hemochromatosis, which affects 1 in 200 of that group. Since I am Caucasian and do have northern European heritage, the likely culprit of iron overload was apparently something I had little control over, or so I thought at the time. Google searches yielded the above mentioned NASA study of divers and a previous study with similar results detected in astronauts in outer space. Since I had not been in outer space recently, there was a chance the 3-4 daily dives in Palau could account for my iron overload. Immediately, I contacted Diver’s Alert Network (DAN) and was put directly through to the chief medical officer’s voice mail. The following day, DAN’s Dr. Nick Bird called to discuss my health issue and disclosed DAN medical staff were unaware of any correlation between iron overload and scuba diving.

After that initial blood test, I continued to have my serum iron as well as serum ferritin (body iron stores), transferrin protein and alpha-fetoprotein (to rule out liver cancer or cirrhosis) levels checked on a monthly basis. In

addition, I became proactive and initiated steps to mitigate the effects of excess iron and to reduce iron intake. I donated blood to remove iron, avoided vitamin C supplements, which help the gut absorb iron, avoided multi-vitamins with iron, took the natural herb milk thistle, continued with a no red meat diet and suspended scuba activities. All tests returned

normal except for the serum iron levels and those levels began to drop 14% each month between June and August and by September levels were down 40% from August and well within a normal range. At that time, I contacted the lead researcher in the NASA study to thank her and her colleagues for publishing their findings. That information alone had encouraged me there could be another cause for my iron overload other than an hereditary disorder, which apparently is managed primarily by phlebotomy treatments.

At the end of the day, based on the length of time required for iron levels of subjects in a followup NASA study to return to normal (results related but not yet published) and the length of time it took for my own iron levels to return to normal, the only countermeasure may be to sit on the sideline for 3 months or just snorkel. Hopefully this topic will be researched further and divers who make multiple daily dives over an extended period of time will be made aware of the potential risks and consequences of iron overload and will be encouraged to have iron levels checked during their next physical.

Martin Kirk is a PADI Dive Master who developed iron overload after logging 315 dives in 7 months

Thought you might be interested in this item about “Harvesting Divers”

admin — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 17:36:17 +0000

Dear Friends

For the better part of 2010, I have been traveling to collect information, photos and stories to tell the story of harvesting divers around the world. The main story is in Alert Diver being mailed out this week. Or, if you can’t wait, you can read it online at AlertDiver.com.

This link will take you to the primary article. At the bottom of that story are links to the second article and the photo essay. Or you can follow the additional links I have provided below.

If you’re not a DAN Member, you can still see the article, but you’ll have to give up your email address to do it. It is free, but you have to sign in.

Main Story: Harvesting Divers at Risk

http://alertdiver.com/400

Sidebar: Diving Cooperative on Isla Natividad

http://www.alertdiver.com/default.aspx?articleNo=380

Photo gallery of the Harvesting Diver Project

http://www.alertdiver.com/default.aspx?articleNo=381

Below are two links to other parts of this project.

• Using still images and video segments I shot along the way, we created a video you can watch on Youtube– DAN Video Guy page:

– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiIABc5quLM

• National Geographic took an interest in this project and featured it in the Nat Geo News Watch:

– http://blogs.nationalgeographic.com/blogs/news/chiefedito r/2010/09/miskito-divers-risk-death.html

–
Eric Douglas

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the treatment of post cardiac surgical strokes–a case series and review of the literature.

admin — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 13:51:12 +0000

In an article in Anaesth Intensive Care. 2010 Jan;38(1):175-84, Gibson AJ, Davis FM write about patients treated at the Hyperbaric Medicine Unit, Christchurch Hospital, Christchurch, New Zealand with HBO for strokes following open heart surgery.

An Abstract of the article

Strokes remain an uncommon but significant complication of cardiac surgery. Cerebral air embolism is the likely aetiology in the majority of cases. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is the recognised treatment for cerebral air embolism associated with compressed air (SCUBA) diving accidents and is therefore also the standard of care for iatrogenic causes of air embolism. It follows that there is a logic in treating post-cardiac surgical stroke patients with hyperbaric oxygen. The aim of this retrospective review was to examine the outcomes of 12 such patients treated in the Christchurch Hospital hyperbaric unit and to appraise the evidence base for the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in this setting. Despite delays of up to 48 hours following surgery before the institution of hyperbaric oxygen therapy, 10 of the 12 patients made a full neurological recovery or were left with mild residual symptoms, with nine returning to their previous level of care. One patient remained hemiplegic and there was one early neurological death. There is a paucity of prospective data in this area, but based on sound pathophysiological principles and clinical experience, we believe that patients suffering a stroke following open cardiac surgery should be considered for hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Related Citations:

Aortic and mitral valve surgery on the beating heart is lowering cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic cross clamp time. [Heart Surg Forum. 2002]
[Hyperbaric oxygenation in cerebral air embolism occurring during open-heart surgery (author's transl)] [G Ital Cardiol. 1981]
Safety of minimally invasive mitral valve surgery without aortic cross-clamp. [Ann Thorac Surg. 2008]
Safety of minimally invasive mitral valve surgery without aortic cross-clamp.

Umakanthan R, Leacche M, Petracek MR, Kumar S, Solenkova NV, Kaiser CA, Greelish JP, Balaguer JM, Ahmad RM, Ball SK, et al. Ann Thorac Surg. 2008 May; 85(5):1544-9; discussion 1549-50.
Review Abdominal complications following open-heart surgery: a report of 12 cases and review of the literature. [Acta Cardiol. 2006]
Review Abdominal complications following open-heart surgery: a report of 12 cases and review of the literature.

Kurt M, Litmathe J, Roehrborn A, Feindt P, Boeken U, Gams E. Acta Cardiol. 2006 Jun; 61(3):301-6.
Review Operative outcome of simultaneous carotid and valvular surgery. [Ann Thorac Surg. 2004]

Undercurrent Online Update

admin — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 17:43:37 +0000

Undercurrent Online Update For Non-Subscribers September 23, 2010	Consumer Reporting for the Scuba Diving Community since 1975 Home \| Subscribe \| Blogs \| Forums \| Special Offers \| FAQ

Camera-Covering Manta Ray

Videographer Travis Matteson was filming a school of mantas during a night dive at Kailua-Kona, HI, when the biggest manta of the bunch swam by, grabbed his $5,000 Canon underwater rig and swam away. With the camera still rolling the entire time, the manta got an opportunity to do some filming of its own. When it was done, the manta dropped the camera right below the boat, and did not leave a scratch on the rig. See video of the manta’s footage here.

The Endless Diving Websites

There seems to be no end to the proliferation of websites related to diving, but very few, if any, become financially viable. Undercurrent is looking for merger partners, and if any website creator or owner out there, no matter how large or small the website, sees merit in the idea, email me at BenDavison@undercurrent.org.

An Interesting Election-Year Tactic

Last week, Allen Sherrod of Groveland, FL, decided to break the Guinness World Records mark for longest scuba dive in open freshwater without resurfacing – the world record is five days, and he planned to stay down for seven. He says he decided to do it because, as his family owns a dive shop, he wanted to call attention to the pollution in area lakes. But Sherrod is also running for mayor of Groveland. Unfortunately, Sherrod ended his attempt early on the third day. He resurfaced at 2:30 a.m. on September 15, walking out of Lake David with help from fellow divers. He said he had the flu and became increasingly sicker underwater. Allen, we know politicians will do anything to win elections but next time you decide to go for a world record to gain votes, get your flu shot first.

Lionfish Derbies in Florida

REEF and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary held their inaugural Lionfish Derby on September 11 in Key Largo, and 100 divers rounded up 534 lionfish. The fish were then sent to Coconuts Restaurant and served fried or ceviche style. One dive team won $1,000 for capturing the most lionfish, 111 of them. Another team won $500 for bringing back the biggest one, measuring 10.6 inches. The next Keys Lionfish Derby will be October 16 in Marathon, followed by November 13 in Key West. Go to REEF’s website for details. And check out our upcoming October issue — we’ll have an article about lionfish in the Caribbean, whether there’s a tipping point for them and if so, what’s the worst-case scenario.

Shark Victims against Shark Finning

Despite all the Shark Week hoopla on the Discovery Channel that makes people fear sharks even more, an unusual group of people recently came out to support them: survivors of shark attacks. A group of nine survivors went to the United Nations building on September 13 to pressure UN members to halt shark finning. It has been more than a decade since 130 nations agreed to develop “shark management plans,” but only 40 countries have done so. All survivors said it wasn’t the sharks’ fault; they were just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Says Krishna Thompson, who lost his leg to a shark in 2001, “If I could endure such an attack and lose a limb and still support shark conservation, I don’t see why anybody else shouldn’t.”

What Scared Ving Rhames?

In the Flotsam section of our September issue, we reported how Hollywood tough-guy actor Ving Rhames, most noted for Pulp Fiction and the Mission Impossible films, said he would never snorkel or dive again after meeting a scary-looking fish on the Great Barrier Reef. Based on his description of “a catfish and something with an oblongish-type head,” two Undercurrent readers think they know the answer. Elaine Stamman (Berkeley, CA) and John Hollinshead (Houston, TX) both believe Rhames saw a wobbegong. We think they’re right and while wobbegongs do bite, these bottom-swelling carpet sharks are generally not dangerous unless they’re provoked.

Jacques Cousteau, The Sea King

Cousteau has been dead for nearly 14 years but he left a profound legacy for every last soul on our water planet. He was committed, full of hopes and dreams, but the Cousteau Society crumbled in the 90s. It’s a sad story, one of many tales told in this excellent new book by Brad Matsen. The author goes into great detail about Cousteau’s development of diving and photography equipment, his outfitting the famous Calypso, and the traumas and joys of his decades aboard his beloved craft, bringing the undersea world to life for worldwide viewers. It’s a great tale of the sea and a must-read for any diver. Go to www.undercurrent.org to order the book via Amazon, and whatever profit Undercurrent accrues from the sale will go to support saving our seas.

Subscriber Offer

This monthly e-mail is a free service to all divers out there but as a subscriber to Undercurrent, you’ll get 16 pages every month of solid information that’s not found in any other dive publication. Subscribe to our monthly batch of dive news you can use, and your next trip will be a better one. Give us a try thru December for only $10.80 here or add $1 and get a copy of the 2010 Travelin’ Diver’s Chapbook sent to you (US/CA only).

There’s a Cockroach in My Regulator:

Our new book has 240 pages of the best of the unusual, entertaining and jaw-dropping stories Undercurrent has published during the past 35 years. They’re all true, though nearly unbelievable and always fascinating, like the stingray that gave the diver a hickey, an exploding tank that yielded $150,000 of cannabis, and buddy couples fighting with each other. We’re offering autographed copies for just $17.95. (Shipping/handling is $5 for U.S. resident, $9.95 for Canada; California residents add $1.80 for sales tax.) Go to Undercurrent and click on “Editor’s Book Pick of the Month” for details and to order online.

The Risks of Oxygen

There’s lots of misconceptions about the risks of oxygen toxicity to one’s central nervous system, and the effects of “low dose” exposure. In the September article, free to read at Undercurrent, our longtime contributor Bret Gilliam clears up a confusing subject and describes what the real risks are for Nitrox-using divers.

What You’re Missing in this Month’s Undercurrent

Castle Comfort Lodge, Dominica . . . the reasons to dive Greece’s Aegean Islands . . . will Katie Price’s breast implants explode underwater? . . . dive operators at Mexico’s Guadalupe Island take shark tours to the extreme . . . California declares diving “hazardous” . . . the risks of oxygen at increased depths . . . two diver-friendly life insurance firms . . . and much, much more.

Coming Up In Undercurrent

aboard a Philippines liveaboard . . . a British Columbia dive lodge … the worst-case scenario for the Caribbean’s lionfish invasion . . . a British dive shop was fined for its role in a diver’s death; why don’t we do the same over here? . . . readers tell us about bad dive guides who wrecked their dive trips . . .diving and erectile dysfunction . . . what you can do to help convince Bahamas not to allow shark finning in its waters. . . and much, much more.

Ben Davison, editor/publisher
Contact Ben

Abstracts from the medical journal, Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine

admin — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 15:13:05 +0000

http://www.unboundmedicine.com/medline/ebm/journal/Undersea_Hyperb_Med?start=0&next=true

Removal of Worldwide Listing of Hyperbaric facilities from Scubadoc’s Diving Medicine’ website.

admin — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 21:01:11 +0000

For various reasons, we have removed the listings of hyperbaric facilities from our web site, ‘Scubadoc’s Diving Medicine’. Instead, injured divers should seek this information from diving agencies that can provide up-to-date information as to facilities that have equipment and trained individuals that can give undelayed treatment for divers.

Below are some contact sources:

Facilities accredited by the UHMS can be seen at
http://www.uhms.org/Default.aspx?tabid=216

For Diving Emergencies in the USA call Divers Alert Network Hotline
http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/medical/emergencies.asp

For Diving Emergencies in Europe
http://www.daneurope.org/web/guest/emergency

For Diving Emergencies – Asia/Pacific
http://www.danasiapacific.org/main/emergency/hotline_numbers.php

Phone numbers of the International DAN Alarm Centers
DAN America Duke University Medical Center, NC, USA +1 919 684 4326
+1 919 684 8111
DAN Latin America DAN Latin America Hotline (Spanish and Portuguese) +1 267 520 1507
TravelAssist (US) US (May be called collect)) 215 245 2461
DAN South-East Asia-Pacific DES Australia, Royal Adelaide Hospital +61 (8) 8212 9242
DAN South-East Asia-Pacific DES New Zealand 0800 4 DES 111 (0800 4 337 111).
DAN South-East Asia-Pacific Singapore Naval Medicine & Hyperbaric Center +65 750 55 46
DAN South-East Asia-Pacific DAN SEAP Philippines +02 815 99 11
DAN Europe DAN Europe 24 hour hotline +39 039 605 7858
DAN Japan Tokyo University Medical Center +81 3 381 249 99
DAN Southern Africa Southern Africa 24 hour hotline +27 11 254 1112

Scuba Clinic Forum

admin — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 14:43:52 +0000

‘Scuba Clinic’ is a comprehensive forum for answering and discussing your questions regarding diving medicine and related subjects. Access it by visiting this web link: http://www.phpbbplanet.com/docvikingo/index.php?mforum=docvikingo Below are some of the sections and subtitles. General Discussions
	Physics and Physiology of Diving Post questions concerning basic physics and physiology related to diving. Moderator docvikingo
	Dive Training, Gear and Technical Matters Moderators docvikingo, wchenss
	Diver Physical Fitness Moderator docvikingo
Diving Medicine
	Medical and Surgical Problems Moderator docvikingo
	Decompression Illness Moderator docvikingo
	ENT Problems and Diving Moderator docvikingo
	Problems Caused by Gases Under Pressure Moderator docvikingo
	Pulmonary Barotrauma and Arterial Gas Embolism Moderator docvikingo
Diver Medical Fitness to Dive
	Neurological Concerns Moderator docvikingo
	Psychological Concerns Moderator docvikingo
	ENT Matters Moderator docvikingo
	Eye Problems Moderator docvikingo
	Dental Problems Moderator docvikingo
	Skin Difficulties Moderator docvikingo
	Lung and Breathing Problems Moderator docvikingo
	Cardiovascular Matters Moderator docvikingo
	Problems with Drugs and Substances Moderator docvikingo
	Gastrointestinal Matters Moderator docvikingo
	Anemia and Blood Problems Moderator docvikingo
	Renal Difficulties Moderator docvikingo
	Endocrine Problems Moderator docvikingo
	Bone and Joint Matters Moderator docvikingo
Divers With Special Needs
	Children Divers Moderator docvikingo
	The Older Diver Moderator docvikingo
	Women Divers Moderator docvikingo
	Men Divers Moderator docvikingo
	Disabled Divers Moderator docvikingo
Injuries and Illnesses Due to the Marine Environment
	Marine Life Moderator docvikingo
	Water and Temperature Moderator docvikingo
	Motion Sickness Moderator docvikingo
Travel Problems
	Flying After Diving Moderator docvikingo
	Endemic Illnesses Moderator docvikingo
	First Aid Kit and Medications Moderator docvikingo
Hyperbarics
	HBO Indications Moderator docvikingo
	Contra-indications to HBO Moderator docvikingo
	Off label Uses of HBO Moderator docvikingo
	Register New HBO Facilities Moderator docvikingo
	Recompression Chambers For Sale Site for listing of hyperbaric chambers for sale or lease.

Abstracts from Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine Journal

admin — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 18:16:58 +0000

Following are some abstracts from the March-April 2010 issue of the Journal of the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society. These are copied from the public source, Medline.

Triage and emergency evacuation of recreational divers: a case series analysis.

Zeindler PR, Freiberger JJ.

Undersea Hyperb Med. 2010 Mar-Apr;37(2):133-9.PMID: 20462146 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]Related citations

Treating necrotizing fasciitis with or without hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Hassan Z, Mullins RF, Friedman BC, Shaver JR, Brandigi C, Alam B, Mian MA.

Undersea Hyperb Med. 2010 Mar-Apr;37(2):115-23.PMID: 20462144 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]Related citations

Effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on the treatment of severe cases of periodontitis.

Nogueira-Filho GR, Rosa BT, David-Neto JR.

Undersea Hyperb Med. 2010 Mar-Apr;37(2):107-14.PMID: 20462143 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]Related citations

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy and age-related macular degeneration.

Weiss JN.

Undersea Hyperb Med. 2010 Mar-Apr;37(2):101-5.PMID: 20462142 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]Related citations

Conservative surgical management of necrotic tissues following meningococcal sepsis: case report of a child treated with hyperbaric oxygen.

Takac I, Kvolik S, Divkovic D, Kalajdzic-Candrlic J, Puseljic S, Izakovic S.

Undersea Hyperb Med. 2010 Mar-Apr;37(2):95-9.PMID: 20462141 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]Related citations

Intracerebral hemorrhage related to systemic gas embolism during hysteroscopy.

Guillard E, Nancy B, Floch H, Henckes A, Cochard G, Arvieux J, Arvieux CC.

Undersea Hyperb Med. 2010 Mar-Apr;37(2):89-93.PMID: 20462140 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]Related citations

Effects of cigarette smoking on tissue gas exchange during hyperbaric exposures.

Hart GB, Strauss MB.

Undersea Hyperb Med. 2010 Mar-Apr;37(2):73-87.PMID: 20462139 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]Related citations

11.

The safe treatment, monitoring and management of severe traumatic brain injury patients in a monoplace chamber.

Gossett WA, Rockswold GL, Rockswold SB, Adkinson CD, Bergman TA, Quickel RR.

Undersea Hyperb Med. 2010 Jan-Feb;37(1):35-48.PMID: 20369651 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]Related citations

12.

Hyperbaric oxygen ameliorates delayed neuropsychiatric syndrome of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Chang DC, Lee JT, Lo CP, Fan YM, Huang KL, Kang BH, Hsieh HL, Chen SY.

Undersea Hyperb Med. 2010 Jan-Feb;37(1):23-33.PMID: 20369650 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]Related citations

13.

Left ventricle changes early after breath-holding in deep water in elite apnea divers.

Pingitore A, Gemignani A, Menicucci D, Passera M, Frassi F, Marabotti C, Piarulli A, Benassi A, L’Abbate A, Bedini R.

Undersea Hyperb Med. 2010 Jan-Feb;37(1):13-21.PMID: 20369649 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]Related citations

14.

Repetitive breath-hold diving causes serious brain injury.

Tamaki H, Kohshi K, Sajima S, Takeyama J, Nakamura T, Ando H, Ishitake T.

Undersea Hyperb Med. 2010 Jan-Feb;37(1):7-11.PMID: 20369648 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]Related citations

Image of cutis marmorata from the New England Journal of Medicine.

admin — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 15:23:22 +0000

Image of cutis marmorata from the New England Journal of Medicine.

Kalentzos 362 (23): e67, Figure 1 June 10, 2010

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A 38-year-old man was transferred to the Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine Unit with decompression sickness 9 hours after a deep scuba dive to 54 m (177 ft). During the ascent, he had omitted decompression stops. On physical examination, there was evidence of paraparesis, hypoesthesia, and urinary retention associated with spinal cord involvement, as well as a characteristic rash (cutis marmorata) on the thighs and torso. Cutis marmorata is a dermal manifestation of decompression sickness. Initially, there is erythema accompanied by pruritus, and then the rash spreads irregularly and deepens in color. It develops a mottled appearance, with areas of pallor surrounded by cyanotic patches. During recompression, the rash resolves. Although cutis marmorata is not directly associated with complications, it commonly accompanies or precedes more severe illness involving the central nervous system or cardiovascular system and should be identified early in a troubled diver. The patient was treated with recompression in a hyperbaric-oxygen chamber. He was discharged 20 days later with resolution of the rash and full recovery of motor function. On follow-up 6 months after discharge, he remained free of symptoms.

Scubadoc's Ten Foot Stop

Iron Overload and scuba diving

Thought you might be interested in this item about “Harvesting Divers”

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the treatment of post cardiac surgical strokes–a case series and review of the literature.

An Abstract of the article

Undercurrent Online Update

Undercurrent Online Update

Ben Davison, editor/publisher Contact Ben

Abstracts from the medical journal, Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine

Removal of Worldwide Listing of Hyperbaric facilities from Scubadoc’s Diving Medicine’ website.

Scuba Clinic Forum

Abstracts from Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine Journal

Image of cutis marmorata from the New England Journal of Medicine.

Ben Davison, editor/publisher
Contact Ben