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on 6/13/00 10:28 PM, Randy F. Milak at milak@x5*.ne* wrote:

> Aspirin's main use in diving is to prevent blood clotting and
> platelet aggregation.  Although aspirin is referred to as a "blood
> thinner," it does not actually "thin" the blood.  Instead,
> anticoagulants alter proteins in the blood that are responsible for
> clotting while antiplatelet drugs prevent platelets from clumping and
> forming clots.  Aspirin functions to make the platelets less 'sticky',
> thereby acting as an anti-coagulant.  Aspirin is an aid; not a
> substitute for proper hydration, even though its main benefit to the
> diver is to allow improved blood flow and gas transport by increasing
> tissue gas perfusion.

Randy et al,

As in a previous note, I'd be interested in the source of research into
aspirin and ibuprofen's positive effects for diving. I asked a few days ago
when Scott was outlining his regimen, but no one responded.

I know this has been the common belief amongst tech divers for many years. I
started taking aspirin on dive days "just in case it works" many years ago
and still take it. But I have never seen and never heard of any research
that even peripherally proves the benefits of these medications for the tech
diver. 

The benefits you are outlining occur at a cellular and molecular level and
while one may extrapolate positive benefits because of a certain trait of a
specific drug, medicine is rarely that cooperative to extrapolative
pseudo-science. It may be that it has the opposite effect--who can say? If
there is actual science behind these practices I'd like to see it since such
a magic bullet could be useful for many divers.

So Randy, Scott or whoever, I'll ignore the BS of the MJBs of this list and
ask directly: Is there actual science to back this up and what is that
science and where can I read it?

Thanks,

JoeL

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