Divers have an experience of many physiological problems due to the increasing pressure on the diving depth in underwater. Decompression sickness is a typical illness. It is caused by the difference of pressure when diver ascending. In survey of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Korea, it is shown that a large number of divers that are engaged in a diving apparatus fishery (DAF) have been experienced a decompression sickness. In the DAF, it is expected that the incidence of decompression sickness patients is higher than the traditional diving fishery without apparatus, because divers of the DAF are working in deep water for a long time. Therefore, it is set to study the DAF. All of incomes in members are depended on the amount of catch without any regular pay, so there is a possibility to come into conflict between members. This study has two purposes. One is measurement of the diving patterns and respiration rate. The other one is to define the contractual relationship between the parties of the DAF. Study site was Tongyeong and Geoje located southern coast of korean Peninsula. Current status of DAF was collated by experiment, survey and investigation.
In the experiment, the diving depth was about 13 m, the diving time was about 21 min and the ascent rate was about 30 m/min in Tongyeong. The diving depth was about 20 m, the diving time was about 63 min and the total ascent time was about 16 m/min in Geoje. The mean respiration rates during work and decompression were 14 and 8 breaths/min, respectively. In the survey, the diving depth was 20~29 m (56.4%) in Tongyeong and Geoje, the diving time was 50~59 min (42.9%) in Tongyeong and 70~79 min (35%) in Geoje and all of the divers experienced Decompression sickness. In the investigation, diving apparatus fishery had adopted the share system. And the laws on the safety of divers are less in Korea. In addition, divers engaged in fishery are excluded from coverage.
Therefore, the probability of decompression sickness of diver is high. Improvement plan of diving apparatus fishery are as follows:
1. The insurance system and mandatory join are needed to ensure a stable about default liability.
2. The license and the diving time for diver of the DAF are needed and diver protection for decompression sickness is needed in the law.
3. It is need to change the wage payments from full sharing to partial sharing included a regular pay.