DAN Medical Research
U.S. Navy Flying After Diving : Participate

Introduction Project Overview Participate FAQs Publications Project Supporters Back to Projects

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 not be over 40% of their ideal weight, or risk disqualification on the physical exam. Body composition will be assessed with a skin-fold caliper); and
• healthy, without any disqualifying conditions:
  • Pregnancy - females of child-bearing age must submit to blood drawing for serum pregnancy determination, or have a statement from a physician verifying sterility;
  • Pneumothorax;
  • Asthma that is active and requires medication (check with study physician);
  • Chronic seizure disorder;
  • Chronic diseases (e.g., heart condition, migraine, diabetes, hypertension) – check with study physician; or
  • Recent joint surgery (within 6 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:

• No diving 48 hours prior to study dive and after study flight.
• No flying 24 hours prior to the study dive and / or 48 hours after the study flight.
• No organized sports or other intense exercise less than 72 hours prior to the test.
• No prescription or over-the-counter medication including aspirin other than those identified to the Study Physician within one week prior to the test.

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 the follow-up interview at the Hyperbaric Center on the third day and the call-in 48 hours 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 morning-after on-site health check, and $15 for 48-hour telephone health check (note: volunteers disqualified after completing the baseline evaluations but before beginning the dive will receive a total of $20 compensation).

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 read 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)

Frequently Asked Questions >>