Dolphins, whales, and other air-breathing aquatic mammals are perfectly adapted to underwater life. They spend most of their life underwater and venture to the surface only to breathe. On the other hand, humans are adapted to life in a dry atmosphere and can go underwater only briefly while holding their breath. With self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA), humans may significantly extend their stay underwater. Whether on a single breath or scuba, diving involves stressors that result from breathing modifications, water immersion, and changing pressure as the diver moves vertically in the water. For fit and well-trained divers, diving stress is positive and causes spontaneous adaptations without divers being aware of it. This makes diving a relaxed and pleasant experience. DAN Research studies how the human body, especially the cardio-respiratory system, adapts to diving, why adaptation could fail, and who may be at risk.
La diabetes y el buceo
Históricamente, DAN no recomendaba bucear a las personas con diabetes insulinodependiente, debido al riesgo de sufrir un episodio hipoglucémico bajo el agua. Sin embargo, dos estudios ayudaron a reevaluar las recomendaciones para el buceo recreativo con diabetes.
Aptitud física para bucear
Es necesario contar con un grado adecuado de aptitud física para hacer frente a las exigencias tanto habituales como imprevistas del buceo. En algunos casos, el nivel de exigencia de las recomendaciones es tan alto que los buzos no pueden cumplir con los requisitos.