Key result
Dive times longer by ~30 seconds and faster active descents are linked to loss of consciousness.
Why the study?
The impact of breath-hold diving strategies on loss of consciousness (LOC) during constant weight diving was not previously investigated.
Do specific breath-hold diving strategies influence the risk of loss of consciousness in competitive divers?
Observational
Yes
Do specific breath-hold diving strategies influence the risk of loss of consciousness in competitive divers?
Speed parameters during the active descent phase of breath-hold diving appear to influence the risk of loss of consciousness.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Faster descent speeds were associated with loss of consciousness in constant weight diving; hypothesis-generating for targeted strategy modifications in competitive breath-hold divers.
The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of breath-hold diving strategies regarding loss of consciousness (LOC). Three international competitions were examined through video in constant weight diving with (CWT) or without (CNF) fins. We analysed three breath-hold parameters (time, speed, and movements count) for the following phases: active descent, passive descent, turning, and ascent. Divers who had LOC during CNF were slower in the active descent phase, faster in the passive descent phase with a longer turn, and slower in the ascent phase than divers who did not have LOC. They also had lower amplitude and higher frequency. Men were deeper (72.9 m vs. 56.3 m) for a longer dive time (181.1 s vs. 154.6 s), faster, with a greater amplitude than women. In CWT, divers with an LOC had longer dive times (197 s vs. 167 s) with a faster active descent phase. Men had lower amplitude and greater frequency than women. This is the first study showing that breath-hold divers undergoing an LOC event shown differences in efficiency during CWT and CNF regarding velocities, amplitudes, and frequencies. In conclusion, our results suggest that the speed parameter during active descent phase influence the LOC.
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Poiret et al. (2020) conducted an observational in Loss of consciousness during breath-hold diving. Breath-hold diving strategies vs. Divers without loss of consciousness was evaluated on Loss of consciousness (LOC). In constant weight diving, divers experiencing loss of consciousness had longer dive times (197 s vs. 167 s) and a faster active descent phase compared to those without loss of consciousness.
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