Risk factors which can be identified prior to diving:
(1) obesity > 20% above ideal body weight
(2) female during menstrual period
(3) fetus in a pregnant female (associated with patient ductus arteriosus)
(4) susceptibility to complement activation by alternative pathways
(5) high serum cholesterol
(6) hemoconcentration (dehydration, other)
(7) patent foramen ovale with right-to-left cardiac shunt
Risk factors which can be identified during or after diving
(8) prolonged stay under pressure followed by rapid decompression
(9) heavy exercise or stress under pressure
(10) flying shortly after diving with rapid unpressurized ascent to high altitude
