5 minute read
Diving Safety Lab
Diving Safety Lab on Hańcza Lake
DAN Researchers Irena Kosowska, Davide Bastiani
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Photos: Krzysztof Kapusta
Divers Alert Network, or DAN, is a non-profit organization founded in 1983 to increase the safety of diving. Today, it brings together over 400 000 divers around the world. DAN's mission is to conduct research, to promote safe diving and knowledge of the first aid rules, and to help divers in emergencies by providing medical assistance. It was precisely the implementation of the mission's goal that guided the November DSL.
Who did we examine?
Our main goal was to study and document deep technical dives, which are still a highly unexplored area. We compared the number of bubbles of similar dive profiles at the same depths in divers using OC, CC or various gas mixtures, men and women, those using a scooter and those propelled by their own legs with fins.
What did we examine?
In the field laboratory located on the so-called "third car park" we conducted an interview with divers about their diving history and experience, as well as we carried out medical surveys. Each diver gave a sample of blood and urine before entering the water. After completing a self-planned dive, we again examined both blood and urine, but this time we were also interested in what is happening with the bubbles in a diver's bloodstream. Therefore we carried out Doppler and echo tests of the main vein supplying the "carbonated" blood to the heart, as well as the veins in the calves. As for the calves, we were most interested in the muscles. Each diver also shared his full dive profile from a computer and filled out a survey after diving. All these data are used to image the processes taking place in our bodies.
Doppler Ultrasound – detection ofmicrobubbles
An audio signal is recorded between the third and fourth ribs at the left end of the sternum. Bubbles are monitored from zero to about 90 minutes after a dive: the peak level will most likely occur after 30 minutes.
Echocardiographic test – detection of microbubbles
After placing the probe on the chest, the signal is recorded and the ventricles are monitored. This test can show the presence of bubbles after a dive.
Density/ alkalinity of urine – indicatesthe level of hydration
The urine density test determines the specific gravity of the urine, which depends on the hydration status of a given diver. For a healthy human, the density of urine is 1015–1025 kg/m³. Test procedure: after spontaneous urination, a urine sample is collected in a disposable plastic container and examined with a refractometer.
Hemoglobin/ Hematocrit – hydration and much more
Taking a small blood sample allows you to determine the amount of hemoglobin in the blood, as well as the state of hydration. Furthermore, changes in hemoglobin may indirectly indicate the activation of stress responses associated with diving.
How can you help?
Advanced Diving Safety Labs do not take place often, but every diver, after every dive, may contribute to the database created and analysed by DAN researchers.
Simply register at https://www.diversafetyguardian.org
The aim of the Diver Safety Guardian project is to collect as many different dives as possible and have information about them given directly by a diver in the form of a survey. The portal is an intuitive tool, dedicated to both open and closed circuit divers, as well as to freedivers.
The online algorithms will analyse our dive profile and using the Buehlmann ZH-L16 model they will show us our "perfect profile" superimposed on our actually performed dive. We will also get feedback on how safe according to DAN researchers our dive profile is and what decompression risk we have taken.
What is more, data after anonymisation will be attached to the global database of over half a million profiles. Every diver who is a member of the DAN can use it in order to assess his style of diving and the risk to be taken. We believe that engaging in such action will help us to plan our dives better and consequently increase their safety.
Is a theoretical dive profile that you will get at Diver Safety Guardian?
The parameters of a real, completed dive, such as the maximum depth and time, will be correlated with the theoretical safe profile (so-called perfect diving), generated on the basis of the most up-to-date medical and diving knowledge. This will help you to plan better your future dives. You can also use the tool for even more effective debriefings with your diving students.
The database contains more than 122 000 dive profiles from more than 8 000 divers.
To carry out such advanced research was made possible thanks to the excellent organization and commitment of many people.
We especially want to thank Baza Banana Divers and Jarek Bekier, as well as the divers from CN Deep Adventure, CN Seahorse and CNN Crocodiles, and also the equipment manufacturers that supported us – Seacraft and Santi. Particular thanks are due to Dr. Adam Koleśnik, who enabled echo tests on a large scale at the diving site, to divers who normally are not "experimental", probably the first time in Poland! Without you this really would have not been possible!!!
