Divers wanted for decompression sickness study
University of Auckland calls for volunteers
Auckland University is looking for divers interested in participating in a venous gas emboli (VGE) variability study as part of their research into decompression sickness.
The study is being conducted by researchers from the Department of Anaesthesiology at the university. The lead investigator is Dr Xavier Vrijdag, a diving medical research originally from the Netherlands. Dr Vrijdag will perform the study along with Dr Hanna van Waart, an exercise scientist from the Netherlands, and renowned diving medicine expert and this year's NOGI winner, Professor Simon Mitchell.
What's the study about?
Avoiding decompression sickness is a major concern when diving. Finding ways to reduce the risk of decompression sickness will enable divers to dive longer and deeper - something that many divers strive to do. It's also a vital component in search and rescue.
The team are looking to find out if pre-dive exercise can help reduce decompression sickness, if microparticles (tiny fragments of membranes from active cells) formed during diving cause bubble formation after surfacing, and, for women, if there is an effect of the menstrual cycle and contraception use on bubble formation. These might help reduce the risk of decompression sickness.
You can participate if you are:
- Aged 18 to 60 years old
- You can easily read, write and understand English
- You are in possession of a valid scuba diving certification
- You are fit to dive.
How the study works
Participants will have:
- One visit measuring height, weight and adjusting settings of the ultrasound machine
- Five hyperbaric chamber dives to 40 metres depth
- Two times pre-dive exercise
- Ultrasound observations of bubble formation for at least two hours after every dive
- Blood draws.
Every simulated dive will follow strict safety protocols, and travel costs will be compensated with a gift voucher of NZD$30 per visit.
To learn more or to participate, email divingresearch@auckland.ac.nz.
Your participation will contribute to the safety of all divers.
