Pre- and post-dive spirometry assessment of recreational scuba divers. A pilot field study

Abstract

Purpose: Pre- and Post-dive spirometry were conducted by recreational scuba divers in order to determine whether there were acute changes in divers’ forced vital capacity (FVC), forced respiratory volume in one second (FEV₁) or the FEV₁/FVC ration following a dive. Previous studies have been conducted in artificial conditions using hypertonic saline and using professional diving equipment rather than that used by recreational divers. Methods: Data were collected from qualified scuba divers at six different dive locations. Spirometry was undertaken prior to the dive and within 30 minutes of competing the dive using an Easyone® spirometer. Results: There were 26 male (72.2%) and 10 (27.8%) female divers. No significant changes in lung function were detected post dive (P = 0.94). However, 8 (22%) divers had pre-dive FEV₁/FVC ratio values below normal signifying mild airways obstruction, and 23 (63.8%) were overweight. Conclusions: Although there was no significant change in divers’ FEV₁/FVC ratio following a scuba diver to indicate bronchial hyperresponsiveness due to salt-water aspiration, further studies using techniques for measuring airways resistance during tidal breathing may be more appropriate for testing this hypothesis.