Plymouth charity to host diving conference

As part of its 30-year anniversary celebrations, the Diving Diseases Research Centre (DDRC) is to host a conference/workshop to discuss current thinking on decompression illness (DCI), sometimes known as ‘the bends’.

The conference, which is organised in association with the nationally recognised Sub Aqua Association, will feature three divers who will tell of their very ordinary dives that ended with DCI, and their doctors will explain the treatment they subsequently underwent.

DDRC senior trainer Jon Parlour said: “Decompression illness (DCI) has no respect for diver’s experience, knowledge, skills or training and can affect any one of us if we have been diving.
“Around 50 per cent of divers presenting for DCI treatment have dived within the limits of the tables or computers used to calculate safe limits. So, the big question we will be addressing at this conference is – ‘How better can divers protect themselves from DCI’?

“All divers, irrespective of their training agency, grade or experience, are welcome and we hope to attract delegates from a wide geographical area.”
Diving researcher and co-editor of Women and Pressure, Marguerite St Ledger Dowse, will be giving a presentation on the latest research into divers’ behaviour and why they delay in reporting DCI, and Bob Cole, technical director of CMAS and author of books on decompression and rebreathers, will explore ‘How better can divers protect themselves from DCI’?

The DCI Conference takes place at the Future Inn, Plymouth, on Saturday 11 September 2010 at a cost of £15, including a buffet lunch.
DDRC will also be marking its 30th year with a black tie dinner to be held in front of the amazing Atlantic Reef tank at the National Marine Aquarium, Plymouth, on the evening of Friday 10 September.
Further information for both events is available by contacting Ria Fox Brown on 01752 209999, or mailing info@ddrc.org