Scuba diving with diabetes mellitus--the UK experience 1991-2001.
OBJECTIVE
To survey the outcomes and practises of divers with diabetes mellitus.


METHODS
Diabetic persons wishing to learn to scuba-dive or established divers who have diabetes mellitus in the UK are requested to fill in a detailed questionnaire annually. Divers are asked to provide basic epidemiological information and general diving history. Data provided by the diver's diabetic physician provided independent evidence of the diver's medical status. These data are recorded and analysed.


RESULTS
Data have been gathered from 323 diabetic divers (269 male, 54 female) and 8,760 dives have been recorded over 11 years. Two fatalities were reported, both in non-insulin dependent divers. One incident of hypoglycaemia underwater in an insulin dependent diabetic diver has been reported.


CONCLUSIONS
This survey showed that in the group of well-controlled diabetic divers studied, there were no serious problems due to hypoglycaemia when they dived. Long-term complications of diabetes must be excluded before a diabetic diver may be permitted to dive.
Edge
C J
CJ
The Stone Barn, Gravel Lane, Drayton, Abingdon, Oxon UK.
St Leger Dowse
M
M
Bryson
P
P
D000328:Adult; D002568:Certification; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D004242:Diving / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010809:Physical Fitness; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology