Report on Decompression Illness, Diving Fatalities and Project Dive

Section 2 - Project Dive Exploration (PDE)In the 2003 PDE dataset, 766 (29 percent) divers reported exposureto altitude within 48 hours post-dive (Figure 2.7-1). Most exposuresoccurred in commercial airliners that are required by law tomaintain a cabin pressure equivalent to not more than 8,000 feetabove sea level (2,439m; approximately three-quarters of theatmospheric pressure at sea level). Flying in non-pressurizedfixed-wing aircraft or helicopters after diving was uncommon. Ofthe divers who flew on commercial airlines within 48 hours postdive,21 percent waited less than 24 hours, and less than 1 percent(eight divers) flew less than 12 hours post-dive.Figure 2.7-1Percentageof the PDEsample reportingaltitude exposureafter dive series.2.8 OutcomesPDE divers were asked to report signs and symptoms after divingbefore leaving the dive site. They were also asked to submit a 48-hour report form to confirm or deny the presence or absence ofsigns or symptoms within 48 hours of the last dive. If a diverreported signs or symptoms in the 48-hour report, DAN followedup to gather details necessary to classify the outcome. Four possiblemedical classifications were employed: (a) uneventful (signs orsymptoms denied); (b) an incident (a report of a procedural or anequipment problem that is potentially dangerous event but did notresult with an injury); (c) an injury considered unrelated to DCI;and (d) DCI (DCS or AGE).40DAN’s <strong>Report</strong> on Decompression Illness, Diving Fatalities and Project Dive Exploration: 2005 Edition