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Temporary and permanent unfitness of occupational divers. Brest Cohort 2002-2019 from the French National Network for Occupational Disease Vigilance and Prevention (RNV3P).
- Source :
-
International maritime health [Int Marit Health] 2020; Vol. 71 (1), pp. 71-77. - Publication Year :
- 2020
-
Abstract
- Background: In France, the monitoring of professional divers is regulated. Several learned societies (French Occupational Medicine Society, French Hyperbaric Medicine Society and French Maritime Medicine Society) have issued follow-up recommendations for professional divers, including medical follow-up. Medical decisions could be temporary unfitness for diving, temporary fitness with monitoring, a restriction of fitness, or permanent unfitness. The aim of study was to point out the causes of unfitness in our centre.<br />Materials and Methods: The divers' files were selected from the French National Network for Occupational Disease Vigilance and Prevention (RNV3P). Only files with a special medical decision were selected, between 2002 and 2019.<br />Results: Three hundred and ninety-six professional divers are followed-up in our centre and 1371 medical decisions were delivered. There were 29 (7.3%) divers with a special medical decision, during 42 (3.1%) medical visit. Twelve (3.0%) had a permanent unfitness. The leading cause of unfitness was pulmonary diseases: emphysema (3), chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (2), asthma (2). Sixteen (4.0%) divers had temporary unfitness. The leading causes were cardiovascular (4 times) and neurological (6 times). Twelve (3.0%) divers had had at least one decompression sickness.<br />Conclusions: Judgments of permanent unfitness for diving were rare (3.0% of divers), but were because of life-threatening disease. Medical follow-up of occupational divers was justified to decrease the risk of fatal event during occupational dives.
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 2081-3252
- Volume :
- 71
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- International maritime health
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 32212151
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.5603/IMH.2020.0014