MD Pasquale Longobardi

Pasquale Longobardi, M.D., is a leading expert in hyperbaric and diving medicine with over 40 years of experience. He is the Medical Director of the Hyperbaric Center in Ravenna and an adjunct professor at the Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna in Pisa. With a background in healthcare management, his work spans wound care, health management, and the physiological impacts of diving. Dr. Longobardi has contributed to numerous scientific publications and international committees, emphasizing innovative approaches to diving safety and hyperbaric treatments. He also serves as a Diving Medical Advisor for major organizations.

Title of the presentation: Human factors and diving safety

Decompression illness (DCI) involves blood vessel damage, blood clots, and cellular harm, influenced not only by dive profiles but also by human factors like stress, diet, and health. Inflammation and blood acidification hinder gas exchange and bubble elimination, increasing DCI risk. Mitigation strategies include proper hydration, antioxidant-rich foods, moderate exercise, and choosing appropriate breathing mixtures. Age, body mass, and individual conditions also play roles, with experts differing on decompression recommendations for older divers. At BalticTech 2024, a customized index for DCI risk assessment will be presented, integrating these factors.