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PFO, or patent foramen ovale, is an anatomical variation that affects an estimated 1 in 4 people. It is a hole in the heart that occurs when the lungs and heart don’t fully separate in the womb. But what does this have to do with SCUBA diving? Can PFO be a deal breaker for a diver? In this article, we’ll explore the mysteries of PFO and examine the potential risks SCUBA divers face when diving with PFO.
Unraveling PFO’s Mysteries
PFO is a common congenital defect, but it is not typically a cause for concern until the person decides to take up SCUBA diving. A PFO can potentially lead to an embolism, which is a blood clot that forms in the heart and then travels to the brain or lungs, causing a stroke or pulmonary embolism. To make matters worse, PFO can be difficult to detect, as it often shows no symptoms.
The most common way to diagnose PFO is the bubble test, where a small amount of air is injected into the veins and watched to see if the bubbles pass through the heart. This test is not always conclusive, however, and there is debate as to whether or not it is an accurate measure of PFO.
Is PFO a Risk for SCUBA Divers?
The debate over whether or not PFO is a risk for SCUBA divers largely centers around depth. It has long been thought that the deeper a diver goes, the higher the risk of a PFO-related embolism, but recent studies have challenged this idea.
At depths of 40 meters or below, the risk of an embolism caused by a PFO is considered to be low. But when a diver goes deeper than 40 meters, the risk increases significantly. This is because the pressure at deeper depths is greater, and the air bubbles in the blood can expand more quickly and travel farther.
For this reason, many SCUBA experts recommend that divers with PFO take extra precautions when diving, such as limiting their dives to shallow depths and avoiding risky dives altogether. Additionally, divers with PFO should always have a dive buddy with them and make sure they are aware of the signs of a potential embolism.
Finding Dive Safety Solutions
There are several measures that SCUBA divers can take to mitigate the risks of diving with PFO.
- Get medical clearance: Before diving, it’s important to get medical clearance from a doctor to make sure that it is safe to dive with PFO.
- Limit depths: Many experts recommend limiting dives to 40 meters or shallower for those with PFO.
- Have a dive buddy: Divers with PFO should always dive with a dive buddy who is aware of the signs of a potential embolism.
- Take breaks: Divers with PFO should take frequent breaks and listen to their body for signs of distress.
- Wear a dive computer: Dive computers can help monitor a diver’s dive time and depth, and they can provide an extra layer of safety for divers with PFO.
By taking these precautions, SCUBA divers with PFO can dive safely and enjoy the underwater world without putting themselves at unnecessary risk.
PFO is a common congenital defect that can pose a potential risk for SCUBA divers. But with the right knowledge and precautions, divers with PFO can dive safely and enjoy the underwater world without putting themselves at unnecessary risk. By having the correct medical clearance and monitoring depth and dive times with a dive computer, divers with PFO can reduce their risk of a PFO-related embolism and enjoy a safe and exciting SCUBA diving experience.