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Updated: Oct 27, 2025

Training Rats to Voluntarily Dive Underwater: Investigations of the Mammalian Diving Response
Published on: November 12, 2014
Effect of Water Amount Intake before Scuba Diving on the Risk of Decompression Sickness
Kil-Hyung Han1, Gwang-Suk Hyun1, Yong-Seok Jee2
1Department of Physical Education, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea.
Abstract:
Background and objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of pre-hydration levels on circulating bubble formation for scuba divers and to evaluate the appropriate volume of water intake for reducing the risk of decompression sickness (DCS). Materials and Methods: Twenty scuba divers were classified into four groups according to the volume of water taken in before scuba diving as follows: no-water-intake group (NWIG), 30%-water-intake group (30WIG), 50%-water intake group (50WIG), and 100%-water-intake group (100WIG). We measured the circulating bubbles using movement status by Doppler on the right and left subclavian veins and precordial regions at pre-dive, post-dive, and 30 min after diving to a depth of 30 m for a duration of 25 min at the bottom. Results: Participants belonging to the 30WIG showed the lowest frequency, percentage, and amplitude of bubbles and consequently the lowest bubble grade in the left and right subclavian veins and precordial region at post-time and 30 min after diving. Conclusions: It can be inferred that pre-hydration with 30% of the recommended daily water intake before scuba diving effectively suppressed the formation of bubbles after diving and decreased the risk of DCS.
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