title: [Scuba diving: practical aspects].
abstract: Keeping in mind some fundamental physic's laws permits to better understand the risks of scuba diving. Essentially, it concerns Boyle's-Mariotte's law (pressure/volume relationship), Dalton's and Henry's laws on the gases partial pressures. Contra-indications of scuba diving depend on the possibility of accidents due to preexisting diseases. The most frequent accidents occur in the O.R.L. and pulmonary systems with the risk of barotraumas, and also in the cardiovascular system with the risk of fainting, uncontrolled ascent to the surface and even drowning. The aptitude test is essential to evaluate and minimize these risks with judicious advices. Generally, complementary tests are performed. In some cases, diving must be limited to "recreational diving", and sporting deep diving, where the conditions are more tiring and hard, must be discouraged. A list is added to the paper, to assist those with any medical problem related with scuba diving, to find informations and advices.
authors.affiliation: Service de Cardiologie, C.H.I.R.E.C., Site Clinique Edith Cavell, U.L.B.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ewalenko
mesh_terms: D000056:Accident Prevention; D004242:Diving / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000502:physiology*; D004332:Drowning / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D011312:Pressure; D011998:Recreation