One project, Health of Divers, involves a questionnaire on divers' lifestyles in relation to smoking, drinking and drugs intake, whether from over the counter, by prescription or recreational.
'Gaining a better understanding of the state of health in divers generally will enable DDRC to help divers dive more safely,' says the DDRC, a charitable organisation based at Plymouth's Derriford Hospital. A pilot study was run at last October's Dive 2007 show at the NEC and received a good response from visitors.
Through its second project, How Divers Seek Help and Advice for Signs and Symptoms of DCI, the DDRC wishes to improve understanding of how divers react when DCI accidents occur - most importantly why the stricken diver or buddies can fail to act appropriately, for instance in waiting too long in seeking help, or not seeking help at all.
Knowledge gained from the research should help the DDRC target the most important areas in which divers need help in recognising and acting effectively over DCI incidents. A promising pilot study has been completed using information from the DDRC database.
'As studies have shown a relationship between the time from symptoms to time of treatment and lasting effects, this study is potentially a valuable contribution to our understanding of the treatment of DCI,' says the DDRC.
Both of the new research projects are to be launched at next weekend's London International Dive Show (LIDS 2008) at ExCeL (8/9 March). Not long after the show, the schemes will go online at www.ddrc.org, with downloadable questionnaires.
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