Curtin University Homepage
  • Library
  • Help
    • Admin

    espace - Curtin’s institutional repository

    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.
    View Item 
    • espace Home
    • espace
    • Curtin Research Publications
    • View Item
    • espace Home
    • espace
    • Curtin Research Publications
    • View Item

    Exercise intensity inferred from air consumption during recreational scuba diving

    Access Status
    Fulltext not available
    Authors
    Buzzacott, Peter
    Pollock, N.
    Rosenberg, M.
    Date
    2014
    Type
    Journal Article
    
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Citation
    Buzzacott, P. and Pollock, N. and Rosenberg, M. 2014. Exercise intensity inferred from air consumption during recreational scuba diving. Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine. 44 (2): pp. 74-78.
    Source Title
    Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine
    ISSN
    1833-3516
    School
    School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/71958
    Collection
    • Curtin Research Publications
    Abstract

    Introduction: Episodic exercise is a risk factor for acute cardiac events and cardiac complications are increasingly recognized in fatalities during recreational scuba diving. What is not known is the exercise intensity involved in typical recreational diving. Methods: This study used pre- to post-dive gas cylinder pressure drop to estimate air consumption and, from that, exercise intensity during recreational dives. Dive profiles were captured electronically and divers self-reported cylinder pressure changes, perceived workload, thermal status and any problems during dives. Mean surface air consumption (SAC) rate per kg body weight and mean exercise intensity (reported in metabolic equivalents, MET, multiples of assumed resting metabolic rate of 3.5 mL·kg-1·min-1) were then estimated. Data are reported as mean ± standard deviation. Results: A total of 959 recreational air dives (20 ± 9 metres' sea water maximum depth; 50 ± 12 min underwater time) by 139 divers (42 ± 10 y age; 11 ± 10 y of diving; 12% smokers; 73% male) were monitored. Problems were reported with 129/959 dives: buoyancy (45%), equalization (38%), rapid ascent (10%), vertigo (5%) and other (2%). Assuming a 10% overestimate due to cylinder cooling and uncontrolled gas loss, the estimated exercise intensity associated with monitored dives was 5 ± 1 MET. Mean ± 2SD, or 7 MET, captures the effort associated with the vast majority of dives monitored. Conclusion: Our estimates suggest that uncomplicated recreational dives require moderate-intensity energy expenditure to complete, with a 7-MET capacity generally adequate. Higher levels of aerobic fitness are still strongly recommended to ensure ample reserves. Further research is needed to quantify energetic demands of recreational diving during both typical and emergent events in both experienced and less experienced divers.

    Related items

    Showing items related by title, author, creator and subject.

    • Estimated workload intensity during volunteer aquarium dives
      Buzzacott, Peter ; Grier, J.W.; Walker, J.; Bennett, C.M.; Denoble, P.J. (2019)
      Background: This study aimed to characterize the physiological demands of working dives on volunteer divers at a public aquarium in the USA. Aims: To estimate the workloads associated with volunteer dives in a US aquarium. ...
    • Enriched-air/oxygen for pre-flight surface intervals
      Leishman, Aren; Tillmans, Frauke; Buzzacott, Peter (2022)
      Introduction: Current guidelines for pre-flight surface intervals (PFSI) of 12-18 hours represent a delay if urgent medevac is required. This study seeks to investigate the potential use of enriched air mixtures and oxygen ...
    • DAN Annual Diving Report 2018 Edition: A Report on 2016 Diving Fatalities, Injuries, and Incidents
      Buzzacott, Peter; Denoble, Petar; Buzzacott, Peter [0000-0002-5926-1374]; Buzzacott, Peter [6506509899] (2019)
      The 2018 DAN Annual Diving Report is a summary of recreational scuba diving and freediving incidents, injuries and fatalities that occurred in 2016 in the U.S. or Canada or that involved U.S. or Canadian residents. DAN’s ...
    Advanced search

    Browse

    Communities & CollectionsIssue DateAuthorTitleSubjectDocument TypeThis CollectionIssue DateAuthorTitleSubjectDocument Type

    My Account

    Admin

    Statistics

    Most Popular ItemsStatistics by CountryMost Popular Authors

    Follow Curtin

    • 
    • 
    • 
    • 
    • 

    CRICOS Provider Code: 00301JABN: 99 143 842 569TEQSA: PRV12158

    Copyright | Disclaimer | Privacy statement | Accessibility

    Curtin would like to pay respect to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members of our community by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which the Perth campus is located, the Whadjuk people of the Nyungar Nation; and on our Kalgoorlie campus, the Wongutha people of the North-Eastern Goldfields.