Interrelationships of Several Parameters of Decompression Sickness

摘要

The report gives the results of an analysis of the interrelationships of several parameters of decompression sickness. This study was based on 348 case reports of decompression sickness among U. S. Navy divers on file at the U. S. Navy Experimental Diving Unit for the years 1956 - 1962. The dives resulting in decompression sickness were divided into 3 groups: (1) single air dives, (2) HeO2 dives, (3) repetitive air dives. The single air dive group was divided into 9 statistically different type dives. Relationships between 'dive type' and 10 parameters were determined. The parameters investigated were: (1) age, (2) body build, (3) severity of work performed during dive, (4) delay between onset of symptoms and treatment, (5) number of symptoms, (6) number of locations (i.e. where symptoms appeared), (7) organ system involved, (8) type of treatment, (9) time of onset of symptoms, and (10) results of treatment. The HeO2 group was matched against part of the air dive group in terms of depths and bottom times. Relationships again were determined between the above mentioned parameters and breathing medium (i.e. air vs HeO2). Intercorrelation matrices for each of the 3 groups were computed on 8 parameters. Findings revealed that 'dive type' correlated with the three variables; 'age', 'type of work', and 'delay between onset of symptoms and treatment'. The remaining seven parameters appear to be independent of 'dive type'. Several interrelationships between parameters were noted and are shown in three intercorrelation matrices. (Author)