Decompression Sickness Indicators in Traditional Divers in Bajo, Boalemo District

Abstract

Decompression is a health problem due to changes in ambient pressure in the body due to the accumulation

of nitrogen which forms bubbles in the body when the dive takes place. The bubbles are not released which

leads to the clogging in the blood flow and the nervous system of the diver. This study aims to determine the

indicators of decompressionoccurence in traditional divers in BajoVillage, Boalemo District. This was a cross

sectional study with a population of 69 people (exhaustive sampling). Data collection is conducted through

interviews and physical examinations on divers. The instruments used were questionnaires, history sheets,

height and weight measurements. Multivariate data analysiswas carried out using smart PLS applications.

The results of this study indicate that of 69 respondents, 41 people (59.4%) of them experienced symptoms

of decompression sickness, both at mild and severe level. From the results of multivariate data analysis,

it is obtained the results of variables that have a significant relationship (> 1.96) with the incidence of

decompression problems, namely the duration of diving (2.453), rising to the surface attitude (3.703) and

depth (3.516). It is concluded that the length of diving, the way the diver rise to the surface and depth

of divingwere some of indicators of the incidence of decompression in traditional divers in Bajo Village,

Boalemo District. It is suggested that divers carry out dives in accordance with safe procedures.