Report on Decompression Illness, Diving Fatalities - Divers Alert ...

Figure 71 shows the chronic health conditions reported by thedivers sampled for PDE in 2001. Seasonal allergy was the most frequentlyreported condition in our sample (13.5 percent). This wasfollowed by orthopedic problems (12 percent). The term “orthopedic”refers to any bone- or joint-related condition or injury. Flu oracute infections were reported in 7.5 percent of divers, despite ageneral agreement that divers with these conditions should abstainfrom diving. Chronic ear and sinus problems were reported in 4percent of divers. As is consistent with the prevalence of asthma inthe general population, 3.5 percent of divers reported having sufferedasthma in the past. In contrast to this, only 1.16 percent of thesampled divers had diabetes, which is a significantly smaller proportionthan in the general population. Previous DCS was reportedby 1.46 percent of participants. Forty-eight percent of participantsdenied any chronic or acute health problem. A total of 18.8 percentof female divers reported taking oral contraceptives.AllergyOrthopedicSeasicknessFlu / InfectionsHigh BloodEar / Sinus ProblemsAsthmaPsychiatricEar / Sinus SurgeryHeart DiseaseBack SurgeryPrevious DCIDiabetesNervous Disorders0% 2% 4% 6%8% 10% 12% 14% 16%Fig 71Medical historyof PDE divers.% of PDE DiversDAN’s <strong>Report</strong> on Decompression Illness, Diving Fatalities and Project Dive Exploration: 2003 Edition 71