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# While I know that PFO (patent foramen ovale) is
# contraindicated for diving because of the
  ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
# increased risk for DCS, what I really need is
# a citation or a reference.  One of my instructors
# does some neat research with preemies and collects
# infor about PFO and activities of all types.

I didn't know this. I heard Dr. Alfred Bove ( Chief of Cardiology, Temple
University Medical School, Medical Editor of Skin Diver Magazine) talk on
this very subject last year. He described in detail what PFO was and why
there are certain situations in diving where PFO can be a concern. There
was never any mention of PFO being a contraindicate for diving.

As I recall, somewhere between 1 in 3 and 1 in 4 people have PFO to some
degree. It's reasonable to expect this cross section of the population to
map into scuba diving. While a little pricey, there is a means of testing
for PFO. It was recommend that divers need not test for PFO unless certain
other problems were present, and those problems themselves would probably
prevent someone from diving.


-Joseph Crunk
 joseph@sm*.co*

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