First impressions: Use of the Azoth Systems O’Dive subclavian bubble monitor on a liveaboard dive vessel

Germonpré P, Van der Eecken P, Van Renterghem E, Germonpré F-L, Balestra C. First impressions: Use of the Azoth Systems O’Dive subclavian bubble monitor on a liveaboard dive vessel. Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine. 2020 December 20;50(4):405–412. doi: 10.28920/dhm50.4.405-412. PMID: 33325023.) Introduction: The Azoth Systems O’Dive bubble monitor is marketed at recreational and professional divers as a tool to improve personal diving decompression safety. We report the use of this tool during a 12-day dive trip aboard a liveaboard vessel. Methods: Six divers were consistently monitored according to the user manual of the O’Dive system. Data were synchronised with the Azoth server whenever possible (depending on cell phone data signal). Information regarding ease of use, diver acceptance and influence on dive behaviour were recorded. Results: In total, 157 dives were completely monitored over 11 diving days. Formal evaluations were only available after six days because of internet connection problems. Sixty-one dives resulted in the detection of bubbles, mostly in one diver, none of which produced any symptoms of decompression illness. Conclusions: The O’Dive system may contribute to increasing dive safety by making divers immediately aware of the potential consequences of certain types of diving behaviour. It was noted that bubble monitoring either reinforced divers in their safe diving habits or incited them to modify their dive planning. Whether this is a lasting effect is not known.