Decompression theory & physiology

Decompression theory & physiology are both subjects that technical divers should at least have a basic knowledge of. Whilst there is a lot more to learn, there has been a huge increase in our understanding of how diving affects the human body, compared with the 1960s for example. Numerous recent studies have made the diving community rethink how it does things. Examples of this include the use of deep stops, exercising before diving, and pre-breathing oxygen before a dive.

The technical diving community has benefited immensely from the contributions of several medical professionals, possibly because they also happen to be technical divers. Professor Simon Mitchell, Dr David Doolette, and Dr Neal Pollock have done much to educate tech divers about decompression research and diving physiology. Presentations by any of them are worth spending the time to watch. Their presentations are often quite long but very well explained, and provide a fantastic overview for the average diver.

There are a lot of good videos out there on diving physiology. Dr Neal Pollock’s BSAC conference presentation on decompression stress is particularly interesting, and most divers will find it to be quite eye-opening, as it challenges long-held beliefs about the generally accepted “rules” of diving.

Similarly, Dr Peter Wilmshust’s presentation on Immersion Pulmonary Edema (Oedema in the UK) is also highly recommended to watch (also at a BSAC conference). This is a poorly understood condition and is sadly something that appears to affect divers more than initially thought. Cold water divers are particularly prone to it, and so they should gain an understanding of the early signs, which can easily be confused for something else.

Decompression theory presentations

Diving physiology presentations

DAN education series