DAN Medical Research
Flying After Diving Calibration Study : Participate

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Participant Eligibility Requirements

Participants must be:

• between 18–60 years of age;
• certified scuba divers, or have experience with hyperbaric exposure (they may be a student diver if accompanied by their instructor);
• in good physical condition (subjects must be within 3% of the age-indexed ‘recommended’ range for body fat based on national standards. Body composition will be assessed with a skinfold caliper); and
• healthy, without any disqualifying conditions:
  • Pregnancy - females of child-bearing age must allow a small blood sample to be drawn for pregnancy testing;
  • Pneumothorax;
  • Asthma that is active and requires medication (check with study physician);
  • Chronic seizure disorder;
  • Certain chronic diseases – check with study physician; or
  • Recent joint surgery (within six months of study date)

Subjects are eligible for more than one study as the profiles change, but a subject may participate only once in a given dive-surface interval-flight profile.

Restrictions prior to the study:

• One week - no prescription or over-the-counter medication including aspirin other than those approved by the study physician.
• 48 hours - no diving, flying or other altitude exposure.
• 24 hours - no organized sports or other intense exercise.

Restrictions following the study:

• 24 hours - no organized sports or other intense exercise.
• 48 hours - no diving, flying or other altitude exposure.

Compensation

Participants will receive pro-rated compensation for a total of $120 per trial. Completion of the study is required for full payment. This includes brief follow-up interviews on each of the first two mornings after the study flight. The medical outcome is just as important as the dive. Pro-rated compensation is $45 for the dive day, $45 for the flight day, $15 for the first morning-after health check, and $15 for second morning-after health check (note: volunteers disqualified after completing the baseline evaluations but before beginning the dive will receive a total compensation of $20).

DAN membership and Preferred Plan insurance will be provided for participants who complete the dive phase of the study if they are not currently covered (current DAN members with lesser insurance coverage will have their level increased to Preferred for the remainder of their annual membership cycle).

Meals will be provided at the chamber during the study, and some meals may be compensated up to $7 for lunch and $13 for dinner. Individuals living outside a 60-minute driving radius from Duke University are asked to stay overnight following the dive and flight (room cost is covered by the study on a shared basis).

Please refer to the Study Cancellation Policy (PDF: 67 KB)

Sign Up or Ask Questions

If you would like to participate in this study, you will need to complete a Medical History Form (PDF: 33 KB) and return it by e-mail to Research@dan.duke.edu, by fax to +1-919-493-3040, or mail to DAN Research, 6 West Colony Place, Durham, NC 27705.

For additional information, contact DAN Research at +1-919-684-2948 x260 or send a message.

Directions to Duke Hyperbaric Center (PDF: 95 KB)

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