Two questions from a newbie

[Terrific]

I didnt think that this would turn out to be so funny! I am sitting here giggiling.

Jax and Dave...thanks for the advice on the dive school and the ´jargon´. Chumming...I dont know what to say.

Thanks

 

[Mike Boswell]

Mike,

Thanks for the prod of confidence. I quit before I got the coughs (thank goodness). What the hell would happen if someone started coughing uncontrollably under the water, apart from scaring the heck out of them? I am sure even non smokers need to cough!

thanks

Back in about 1975, my mother asked me to take my father out on my boat and show him how to scuba dive. She felt that it would be good for him, and that he would enjoy it since he had been a champion swimmer in college, and even in his late 50's he could break 60 seconds in the 100-yard freestyle. But after three decades of smoking two packs of cigarettes a day, he was prone to uncontrolled fits of coughing that could last for a minute or more and would leave him gasping for breath, and sadly I had to say "No". 30 years later, otherwise alert and healthy, he died of emphysema, drowning in his own fluids.

 

[Terrific]

I didnt expect this to be so funny to be honest with you all.

Chumming...!

And thanks for the link about the dive school. Much appreciated

 

[Terrific]

Mike,

Didnt mean anything about your Father. Sorry he went that way. I am glad I stopped

 

[Mike Boswell]

Mike,

Didnt mean anything about your Father. Sorry he went that way. I am glad I stopped

I never thought you did. I just mentioned it because cigarrette-related coughing can be pretty severe and could easily lead to problems (i.e. inhaling saltwater) with scuba.

I am glad you quit successfully. I am glad I quit, too. Smoking is just slow suicide.

 

[coldwaterdufus]

I too quit smoking 'bout 12 years ago, having smoked for way too long. Actually, quitting is one of the best things I've done. As other posters have said, as long as you are reasonably healthy, you should be fine. Anything you are wondering about, get it checked by a doc.

Along the same lines, on one of my OW cert. dives in Cambodia, we surfaced and had to wait for the boat to return. The DM / instructor swam over to a local fishing boat anchored nearby. He mooched a smoke off one of the locals, swam carefully back to us ( calm water ) and , bobbing in the water, finished his smoke. Young guy, I couldn't believe it. Young and invincible. I guess we all used to be there.....

 

[Malene]

I am located in Spain, so its doubtful that many of you learned the craft in the region

Where in Spain are you located?

 

[Rick Murchison]

I've attached a list of some SSI facilities in Spain (& the islands) - perhaps one of these is close to you.

Rick

 

[Terrific]

Malene, I am in the Marbella area and Rick thanks for the list

 

[Doc Harry]

If you are worried about your smoking history, see your doctor and get a PFT (Pulmonary Function Test). A PFT will definitively tell you if you have any lung problems that would prevent you from diving safely.