Haematology studies during a 350-metre dive

Area of Science:

• Physiology
• Hematology
• Diving Medicine

Background:

• Deep-sea diving involves significant physiological stress.
• Understanding hematological changes during extreme pressure is crucial for diver safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To monitor hematological parameters in deep-sea divers.
• To assess red blood cell morphology and count during a 350m working dive.

Main Methods:

• Hematological monitoring of 6 divers pre-dive, during dive phases (compression, 350m, decompression), and post-dive.
• Analysis of red blood cell shape, hematocrit, red cell count, and reticulocyte levels.

Main Results:

• A small percentage of red blood cells became non-discoid during compression and at 350m.
• Mild dehydration and a +5% rise in hematocrit were observed.
• Red cell count decreased by 10% during the dive, with a decrease in reticulocytes.
• Aberrant cell numbers increased during decompression but resolved by 1 month post-dive.

Conclusions:

• Deep-sea diving induces transient red blood cell morphological changes and dehydration.
• Hematological parameters, including red blood cell count and morphology, normalize post-dive.
• Reticulocyte levels indicate increased red blood cell production after the dive.