What is the primary purpose of dive medicine?

The primary purpose of dive medicine is to prevent and treat dive-related injuries and illnesses. This field is specifically focused on understanding the physiological effects of diving on the human body and addressing the various health risks that divers may encounter, such as decompression sickness, barotrauma, and other dive-related conditions. By focusing on the prevention and treatment of these issues, dive medicine aims to ensure the health and safety of divers during their underwater activities.

While enhancing recreational diving experiences, promoting undersea exploration, and improving diver training and education are important aspects of the diving community, they do not encompass the core focus of dive medicine. The ultimate goal is to mitigate the risks associated with diving and provide effective medical intervention when necessary, thus underscoring the significance of dive medicine in fostering a safe diving environment.