RESPIRATORY SYSTEM | Divers revisited: The ventilatory response to carbon dioxide in experienced scuba divers

A study by Earing et al. (2014) investigated the ventilatory response to carbon dioxide in hyperoxia, hypoxia, and during exercise among experienced scuba divers and matched controls. As someone interested in diving, I found the study insightful, mainly on the concept of “carbon dioxide tolerance,” as most divers would call it.

The study found that divers had lower ventilatory responses to carbon dioxide during rest and exercise than non-divers. Hypoxic or low ventilatory response refers to increased ventilation induced by hypoxia, allowing the body to intake and transport lower oxygen concentrations at higher rates.

The phenomenon is significant because the results highlighted the risks of carbon dioxide retention among divers. Low ventilatory response prolongs carbon dioxide build-up in the blood and causes insufficient oxygen intake, respiratory acidosis, and increased risk during sleep. All of these can result in an interloping chain of consequences such as respiratory muscle (and overall) fatigue, cyanosis, sleep apnea (a sleeping disorder wherein breathing suddenly stops and starts), prolonged recovery time, intolerance of exercise, and in extreme cases, respiratory failure and sudden death.

This knowledge serves as a reminder for divers to prioritize health, adhere to safe diving practices, and remain vigilant about physiological challenges inherent in diving.

Kindly click the attachment to access more information.

Divers revisited: The ventilatory response to carbon dioxide in experienced scuba divers – ScienceDirect

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0954611114000833

To investigate the ventilatory response to CO2 in hyperoxia, hypoxia, and during exercise amongst experienced scuba divers and matched controls.Two st…