Preparticipation Screening with Medical Aspects of High Altitude and Scuba Diving

Preparticipation screening for conditions with an increased risk for sudden cardiac death, its risk factors or cardiac disorders which could worsen by regular exercise, is useful in all exercising individuals. Basic examination contains a sports-specific patient's history, a physical examination and a resting ECG analyzed according to standardized criteria. Additionally an exercise test should be performed in elite and master athletes as well as in the presence of cardiovascular risk factors. While scuba diving the lung is exposed to high physical forces, therefore the lung has to be put into a special focus and lung function testing is mandatory. Otherwise there are no particular tests for scuba divers or high altitude travelers except careful evaluation of their health status similar to other athletes. However, evaluation of exercise capacity may be helpful since both scuba diving and mountaineering often have certain physical demands. Knowledge of sports specific risks is also necessary in these disciplines.