[Sports-related diving challenges the cardiovascular and pulmonary system]

The underwater environment challenges human physiology in a unique way. Prolonged exposure to extreme conditions of immersion and increased ambient pressure can lead to injury and even death. Breath-hold and diving with self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA diving) pose acute stress predominantly on the cardiovascular and pulmonary system. Currently there is no evidence of long-term consequences of subclinical cardiovascular, neurological or pulmonary adverse effects, but diving has acute stresses on the human physiology. In this review, we aim to provide a basic understanding of the physiological changes related to diving and therapy in case of trauma.