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Int J Sports Med 2000; 21(7): 459-462
DOI: 10.1055/s-2000-7411
Physiology and Biochemistry
Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Ascent Rate and Circulating Venous Bubbles in Recreational Diving

D. Carturan1 , A. Boussuges2 , F. Molenat2 , H. Burnet3 , J. Fondarai4 , B. Gardette5
  • 1 UFR STAPS, Faculté de Luminy, Marseille, France
  • 2 Service de Réanimation Médicale et d'Hyperbarie, Hôpital Salvator, Marseille, France
  • 3 CNRS, UPR de neurobiologie et du mouvement, Marseille, France
  • 4 Service de Médecine du Sport, Hôpital Salvator, Marseille, France
  • 5 COMEX SA, Boulevard des Océans, Marseille, France
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Publication History

Publication Date:
31 December 2000 (online)

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The aim of this study was to assess the effect of the ascent rate on the production of venous circulating bubbles during the decompression following a recreational dive. Twenty-eight recreational divers performed two open water dives at 35 m during 25 minutes. Ascent rate up to the decompression stop was in one case 9 meter per minute (m/min) and in the other case 17 m/min. Circulating venous bubbles were screened using continuous wave Doppler every 10 minutes during one hour after surfacing. Bubbles Doppler signals were graded according to the Spencer scale (from 0 to IV), and the Kisman integrated severity score (KISS) was calculated. Statistical analysis demonstrated a significantly higher bubbles grade and a significantly higher KISS following the rapid decompression compared to the slow one (respectively p = 0.001 and p = 0.0001). In conclusion, these results demonstrate that a 9 m/min ascent rate is safer than a 17 m/min one.

Key words:

Gas emboli, diving, Doppler, decompression.

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Dr. Alain Boussuges

Service de Réanimation Médicale et d'Hyperbarie Hôpital Salvator

249 Bd de Sainte Marguerite BP 51-13274 Marseille Cédex 09 France

Phone: Phone:+ 33 (4) 91744948

Fax: Fax:+ 33 (4) 91745435

Email: E-mail:jsainty@ap-hm.fr