Assessment of a dive incident using heart rate variability.

Abstract

Scuba diving likely has an impact on the autonomic nervous system (ANS). In the course of conducting trials of underwater ECG recording for measurement of heart rate variability, there was an unexpected stressful event; one participant's regulator iced and began to free-flow. A custom-made, water- and pressure-tight aluminum housing was used to protect a portable Holter monitor. ECGs were recorded in three experienced divers who witnessed an unplanned moderately stressful incident during diving. The ECG signals were analysed for measures of heart rate variability (HRV). Analysis for different short-term HRV measures provided consistent results if periods of interest were appropriately time-aligned. There was improvement in sympatho-vagal balance. One diver unexpectedly exhibited an increase in both sympathetic and vagal activity shortly after the incident. A conventional open-water dive affected the ANS of experienced recreational divers as measured by HRV which provides a global evaluation of the ANS and alterations in its two branches. The heart rate variability data gathered from several participating divers around the time of this event illustrate the potential utility of this variable in quantifying stress during diving. HRV data may be useful in addressing relevant diving related questions such as effects of cold, exercise or different breathing gases on ANS function.