Not yet recruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Epidemiological Assessment of Technical Diving Accidents in Mainland France and Factors Predictive of Severity (TEKCare)

This research project, called TEKCare, is looking into medical problems that happen to people who do technical diving in mainland France. Technical diving often involves deeper, longer dives using special gas mixtures and equipment. The study wants to understand the different kinds of accidents technical divers have, such as decompression sickness (the bends), lung issues, or oxygen toxicity, and what makes some accidents more serious than others. By looking at information like the diver's experience, how they planned their dive, and the treatment they received, researchers hope to get a clearer picture of the specific health challenges faced by this community. This will help doctors who treat diving injuries better assess risks and provide care.

At a glance

Status

Not yet recruiting

Sponsor

University Hospital, Brest

Enrolment target

100

Start

01 Jan 2025

Estimated completion

31 Dec 2025

Decompression Sickness Pulmonary Edema - Acute Oxygen Toxicity Carbon Dioxide Poisoning Nitrogen Narcosis

What is this study about?

This study is focused on understanding the health problems that can happen to people who enjoy 'technical diving'. Technical diving is different from regular recreational diving because it often involves going much deeper, staying underwater for longer periods, and using special breathing gases like 'trimix' or closed-circuit rebreathers. While this allows divers to explore more, it also comes with different kinds of risks.

The researchers want to gather information from various hospitals in mainland France to build a picture of what these diving incidents look like. They'll be looking at things like what kind of health problem the diver experienced (for example, decompression sickness, which is often called 'the bends', or problems with their lungs), what their diving experience was like, and how their dive was planned. They also want to see what kind of treatment the divers received and how well they recovered.

The main goal of this study is to help doctors understand the unique health challenges and risks associated with technical diving. By learning more about these specific types of accidents, doctors can improve how they assess risks, analyse incidents, and provide the best possible medical care for technical divers in the future.

Key takeaways

A study looking at diving accidents in technical divers in mainland France.
Aims to understand common medical problems like the bends and lung issues unique to this type of diving.
Uses past medical records, so no active participation or new tests are needed.
Hopes to improve how diving doctors assess risks and provide care.
Strictly for adult civilian technical divers treated in coastal French hyperbaric centres.

Who may be eligible?

You might be able to take part in this study if you are an adult civilian who was involved in a technical diving accident after the age of 18. This means you were doing a dive using special gas mixtures (like trimix) or a rebreather, and you experienced a medical problem like decompression sickness (the bends), a problem related to chemicals in your body, or sudden fluid in your lungs from immersion.

Crucially, you would have needed to receive treatment for this diving accident at a specialized hyperbaric centre located on the coast of mainland France. This study is specifically looking at cases within that particular region and treatment setting.

However, you wouldn't be able to join if you don't want your information to be used for the study, or if the diving doctor at the hyperbaric centre didn't confirm that your medical problem was due to a diving incident.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you an adult (18 years or older)?
Did you have a diving accident while technical diving (using trimix or a rebreather)?
Was your medical problem diagnosed as a diving-related issue by a hyperbaric doctor?
Did you receive treatment for this diving accident at a hyperbaric centre on the coast of mainland France?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

As this is a retrospective study, it means researchers are looking back at existing medical records rather than asking new people to join and receive treatment. Therefore, if you fit the criteria, your past medical information related to your technical diving accident and treatment in France might be included in the study. You wouldn't need to attend any new appointments, take any medication, or undergo any additional tests. Your participation would involve allowing the researchers to access and analyse anonymised data from your medical history. The total duration of your 'participation' would be about the time it takes for the researchers to review your existing records.

Potential risks and benefits

The potential benefits of this study include helping medical professionals better understand the specific risks and health problems associated with technical diving. This improved knowledge could lead to better risk assessment, faster diagnosis, and more effective treatment for technical divers in the future. As this study uses existing, anonymised medical records, there are very minimal direct risks to individuals. Your personal information will be protected. You always have the right to withdraw your consent for your data to be included if you change your mind.

Locations (1)

Chu Brest
Verified postcode
Brest, France

Common questions

What exactly is 'technical diving'?

Technical diving involves more advanced diving techniques, like going deeper or staying longer underwater, often using special gas mixtures (like trimix) or rebreathers instead of standard air.

What kind of medical problems are they looking for?

They're interested in issues like decompression sickness (the bends), acute lung problems from immersion, and problems caused by too much oxygen or carbon dioxide, which can happen with special gas mixtures.

Will I have to do anything if I participate?

No, you won't. This study uses past medical records from people who have already had a technical diving accident and were treated. You won't need to attend new appointments or undergo any tests.

How will my personal information be kept private?

The study will use anonymised data, meaning your name and other identifying details will be removed from your medical information so you cannot be identified.

Why is this study important?

It's important because it will help doctors in France better understand the specific health risks and care needs for people who do technical diving, leading to improved treatment in the future.

How to find out more

Anaïs CAILLARD

anais.caillard@chu-brest.fr 0298347240 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.