Abstract

Scuba diving is a world sport, but it is not medically regulated. Study objectives sought to identify risk behaviors, preexisting medical conditions, compliance to dive guidelines, and injury patterns of recreational scuba divers. An Internet-based survey examined risk behaviors and diver safety practices. Responses from 682 of 770 (88.6%) divers revealed that 80.6% were certified; 51.7% of certified divers reported diving injuries versus 75.0% for noncertified divers (RR = 1.31; 95% CI: 1.16-1.48; P < 0.001); suspected decompression symptoms were witnessed by 52.6% of divers; 32.7% of certified divers reported medical problems including hypertension, asthma, diabetes, and epilepsy. No significant differences were observed in injuries among the certified divers based on dive frequency (P = 1.000), medical conditions (P = 0.750), smoking (P = 0.545), alcohol (P = 0.649), or illicit substances use (P = 0.230). Among certified divers, there was a positive association with fewer diving injuries but not with diving frequency, preexisting medical condition(s), smoking, alcohol, or illicit substance use.