Does recreational scuba diving have clinically significant effect on routine haematological parameters?

Area of Science:

• Physiology
• Hematology
• Sports Medicine

Background:

• Scuba diving involves physical exertion and environmental changes.
• Understanding hematological responses is crucial for diver safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate changes in hematological parameters after recreational scuba diving.
• To identify clinically significant hematological shifts in divers.

Main Methods:

• 17 male recreational divers had blood samples analyzed pre-dive and post-dive (immediately, 3, and 6 hours).
• Complete blood counts were performed using a Cell Dyn Ruby analyzer.
• Statistical significance was assessed against desirable bias (DSB) and reference change values (RCV).

Main Results:

• Statistically significant increases observed in neutrophils, white blood cells (WBCs), lymphocytes, and monocytes post-diving.
• Statistically significant decreases noted in red blood cells (RBCs), hemoglobin, and hematocrit post-diving.
• No clinically significant changes were found when compared to RCV.

Conclusions:

• Recreational scuba diving induces statistically significant, yet likely clinically insignificant, hematological alterations.
• Observed changes in WBCs, neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, RBCs, hemoglobin, and hematocrit do not appear to impact clinical decisions.