Influencing factors of acute decompression sickness in diving fishing operators in Dalian city

ObjectiveTo analyze the incidence of acute decompression sickness and its influencing factors in diving fishing operators in Dalian and to provide basis for prevention and control of acute decompression sickness.MethodsTotally 642 diving fishing operators from 171 work places were surveyed with stratified cluster sampling in six districts or counties in Dalian(Lushun,Jinzhou,Zhuanghe,Xigang,Ganjingzi,and Changhai).ResultsThe annual incidents of acute decompression sickness were 507 person-times,with an average annual incidence rate of 1.3‰.The number of acute decompression sickness patients was 488,accounting for 76% of the all operators.The analyses showed that the incidence of the sickness was positively correlated to dive depth and time.The workers with more knowledge before engaged in diving operations and reducing pressure strictly according to the standards after diving operations had a lower incidence rate of acute decompression sickness.The dive depth and style were the risk factors for acute decompression sickness.ConclusionDiving depth and style are main risk factors of acute decompression sickness.The deep diving and heavy diving are more likely to induce acute decompression sickness.