Abstract:
Decompression illness (DCI) is a known risk of SCUBA (Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus) diving, however this risk has not been well described in children. According to the Divers Alert Network (DAN), between 1991 and 2001 there were slightly more than 1000 recreational diving injuries per year worldwide, approximately 15 per year involving divers aged 11-19 years (Dovenberger, 2006). Risks for morbidity associated with SCUBA diving and hyperbaric exposure for adults have been studied and described. The foundation of our understanding of the medical risks of hyperbaric exposure, and treatment is based on military and civilian studies. The subjects for these studies generally did not include children.
Taken from the beginning of thesis.