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Lung function in military oxygen divers: a longitudinal study.

Kay Tetzlaff¹, Lars Friege, Jens Theysohn

¹Department of Sports Medicine, Medical Clinic and Polyclinic, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany. kay.tetzlaff@med.uni-tuebingen.de

Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine

|October 21, 2005

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Professional divers using closed-circuit oxygen rebreathing apparatuses showed no significant lung function decline. This suggests hyperoxia is not the primary cause of long-term lung issues in these divers.

Area of Science:

Occupational Medicine
Pulmonary Physiology
Diving Medicine

Background:

Professional diving is associated with potential long-term lung damage.
Previous studies on diving cohorts show conflicting results regarding lung function.
The specific impact of closed-circuit oxygen rebreathing apparatuses on lung health requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the longitudinal changes in lung function among professional divers using closed-circuit oxygen rebreathing apparatuses.
To determine if exposure to elevated oxygen partial pressure during diving accelerates lung function decline.
To identify potential factors contributing to long-term lung effects in divers.

Main Methods:

Spirometry was performed on 39 oxygen divers at the German Naval Medical Institute between 1994 and 1999.

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Divers with at least two follow-up examinations were included in the study.

Forced expiratory flows and volumes were compared at baseline and maximum follow-up over a median period of 5.8 years.

Main Results:

No statistically significant changes were observed in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) or forced vital capacity (FVC) over the follow-up period.
The mean FEV1 and FVC remained stable, indicating no accelerated decline in lung function.
The findings indicate that substantial exposure to elevated oxygen partial pressure during diving did not negatively impact lung function in this cohort.

Conclusions:

Elevated oxygen partial pressure exposure during closed-circuit oxygen rebreathing diving does not appear to cause an accelerated decline in lung function.
Other factors, such as venous gas microemboli or altered breathing gas characteristics, may be responsible for previously reported long-term lung effects in professional divers.
This study provides evidence that specific diving apparatus may mitigate certain lung health risks associated with professional diving.