title: Prevalence and characteristics of lung function changes in recreational scuba divers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the hypothesis that a salt water SCUBA dive may cause bronchoconstriction in some individuals.
  
  
  METHODS
  100 experienced recreational SCUBA divers acted as their own controls. Spirometry measures were taken with Easyone(TM) spirometers before and after a dive. Measures recorded included FEV1/FVC ratio and forced mid-expiratory flow (FEF25-75%).
  
  
  RESULTS
  60 participants (68% male, 32% female) aged between 19-68 years (mean 47 years) produced data meeting ATS/ERS international standards. Of these, 23% exhibited pre-dive FEV1/FVC ratio values less than 75%. Statistics on paired samples of pre- and post-parameters showed a significant decrease in FVC post-dive but did not show significant reductions in FEV1 or FEV1/FVC. Six (10%) were current smokers and 13 (21%) were former smokers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  25% of participants had reduced FEV1/FVC ratio regardless of undertaking a dive. Consideration of the clinical implications requires further investigation.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. anne.wilson@adelaide.edu.au
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wilson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia; D016084:Bronchoconstriction; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004242:Diving / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D015995:Prevalence; D011998:Recreation; D012016:Reference Values; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013147:Spirometry; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014797:Vital Capacity; D055815:Young Adult