Hematologic changes after short term hypoxia in non-elite apnea divers under voluntary dry apnea conditions.

Purpose: This study investigated the acute changes in full spectrum differential blood cell count including reticulocytes and immature reticulocytes after a voluntary maximal dry apnea in non-elite divers. Aim of the present study is to obtain information on important regulatory compensation mechanisms and to provide insights into apneic regulatory processes.

Methods: Ten apnea divers performed a voluntary dry mean apnea time of 317 sec [SD ±111 sec].