DAN Medical Q&A

Ask DAN

DAN medical specialists and researchers answer your dive medicine questions

IMMATURE BLOOD CELLS

Q: My doctor said that my blood cells (white, red and platelets) are immature, and at times I have very high counts, although they are currently within the normal range. Will this condition impact my body’s ability to get oxygen to my cells and eliminate nitrogen? Will I have a higher risk of DCS or bubbles forming in my blood?

A: The condition you are referencing can be a type of myelodysplasia. The body’s long bones, including the sternum, humerus and femur, produce new blood cells. A disruption in the bone marrow can release immature blood cells into the body.

The World Health Organisation classifies myelodysplasias into subtypes based on the types of cells involved. If two or three cell types are abnormal, it is a multilineage dysplasia. In this condition, blood cells will die in the bloodstream soon after being released or while still in the bone marrow. Over time, there will be more immature cells than healthy ones. Complications can include opportunistic infections, fatigue and abnormal or uncontrolled bleeding.

Platelets are components within our blood responsible for beginning clotting. Decreased platelets will inhibit clotting, which may lead to uncontrolled bleeding. If you have bleeding from blunt or penetrating trauma, barotrauma from difficulty equalising, or DCS, you may have uncontrolled bleeding that could go undetected for some time. Diving exposes you to bacteria and other micro-organisms in the water. White blood cells are the body’s natural defence mechanism against these contaminants. Immature or inadequate white blood cells may lead to opportunistic infection or, if your immune system is compromised, a serious illness.

Red blood cells carry oxygen and other nutrients throughout the body. Immature red blood cells are unable to meet the body’s oxygen demands while diving. This lack of oxygen may lead to fatigue, the possibility of passing out and potentially drowning.

Diving often takes place in a remote location, and access to immediate or definitive health care may be difficult. When planning a dive trip, ask the dive operator or resort about access to health care and their emergency action plan for caring for an ill or injured diver. Some locations may have more limited medical care than others, especially if an air evacuation is involved. DANAP.org

Monthly round-up of news from our SSI dive centres and professionals www.divessi.com

Congratulations to our

SSI dive centres and professionals who, despite all of the challenges in the past 18 months, have adapted in positive ways to continue to grow and develop their diving business. This shows that staying connected with your customers has long-term results and creates loyal divers who support their SSI local dive centres.

Back to the water campaign

In early 2020, SSI launched the ‘Back to the Water Campaign’. This involved offering free sponsored cross-over kits to dive professionals from all agencies. Due to an increased demand for professionals globally, SSI has extended this offer until 31 March 2022. Professionals wanting to join the ever-growing SSI family are encouraged to contact their local SSI centre or go to www.divessi.com and register themselves for this promotion.

SSI Launches Marine Guide

Dive Guides and Divemasters are the spearheads of SSI professionals when dealing with certified divers; therefore, SSI is proud to launch the Marine Guide Recognition ratings for those SSI professionals who become subject matter experts in the Ecology Programmes.

To qualify as a Marine Guide, SSI Dive Guides or higher must be in active status and qualified to teach three or more of the SSI Ecology Programmes. Here is where SSI conservation initiatives currently stand: • All physical SSI certification cards are made of environmentally friendly bio-PVC and are 100% biodegradable. • With our free MySSI app, customers can complete their training ‘card-free’ and further their education while saving additional resources. • SSI has set a company-wide goal to reduce plastic packaging whenever possible and find alternative environmentally friendly packaging options. Many products are packaged exclusively in cellulose packaging or paper. • With our free Blue Oceans programme, SSI explains the importance of protecting the ocean and how anyone can quickly support this effort in their daily lives. • Education and training are the first steps in protecting the oceans. SSI offers various ecology programs, including

Marine Ecology, Shark Ecology, Sea Turtle Ecology,

Fish Identification, Coral Identification, and Manta & Ray

Ecology.

SSI introduces the Non-Binary Gender Option in the MySSI System

You asked, we listened. After repeated inquiries from SSI centres and professionals around the globe asking for a third gender option within the MySSI system, we have now implemented this option when creating a MySSI profile. As of now, you may choose male, female, or non-binary as a gender option when setting up your MySSI profile. If you wish to edit your current MySSI profile to the non-binary option, please send a written request to SSI Headquarters at info@divessi.com.

SSI is very excited to include non-binary as a gender option. An organization that is constantly asking how to better improve itself is an organization poised for growth. SSI strives to be an inclusive, adaptable, and welcoming family of divers who listen to its members and respond accordingly. By adding this third gender option, we are opening the door to allow our divers to express themselves in as accurate a way as possible.

For more information on any of our programs and initiatives, please don’t hesitate to contact our SSI Team. n