Affects of pot with scubadiving?

[drbill]

As a child of the 60's, I've used the drug on more than one occasion (although current use is very minimal- a few times a year). Personally, I would never consider diving after taking a hit (or taking a drink). Diving is too serious to me and I value my life. A simple mistake due to impaired judhment could end your diving (and possibly your life). It just wouldn't be worth it to me. I also wonder how your buddy would feel.

Dr. Bill

 

[reefsong]

Any medication in your system when under pressure at depth will have its effects enhanced to some degree. The thc in marijuana is a potent intoxicant when at surface, let alone at depth. You ARE impaired to some degree when it is in your sytem whether you realize it or not. You are fooling yourself if you think you can smoke it (or eat it) and not feel its effects for a good long time, even if you don't think that you are. The presence of marijuana in a toxicology screen can be detected in certain amounts even as long as one full month after its last use!! The chemical is very slow to be fully metabolized and leave your system. Why would someone be so foolish as to jeopardize their own life by smoking pot and diving? Worse than that, you are jeopardizing all the people around you who in good will and in good faith would come to your rescue once you've done something stupid at depth because of your impaired judgement.

 

[dlndavid]

Any medication in your system when under pressure at depth will have its effects enhanced to some degree. The thc in marijuana is a potent intoxicant when at surface, let alone at depth. You ARE impaired to some degree when it is in your sytem whether you realize it or not. You are fooling yourself if you think you can smoke it (or eat it) and not feel its effects for a good long time, even if you don't think that you are. The presence of marijuana in a toxicology screen can be detected in certain amounts even as long as one full month after its last use!! The chemical is very slow to be fully metabolized and leave your system. Why would someone be so foolish as to jeopardize their own life by smoking pot and diving? Worse than that, you are jeopardizing all the people around you who in good will and in good faith would come to your rescue once you've done something stupid at depth because of your impaired judgement.

You hit the nail on the head reefsong. What many here don't understand, they are already in the fog, and have been. Quit for 30 days, see how you feel, look back on your lack of knowledge unimpaired. Being under the influence of anything while diving is a danger to yourself and those around you. Go get stupid and paint a picture, play video games or whatever. Don't dive stoned.

 

[brssmnky]

and also, it effects your short term memory... I don't think the original poster really ever said anything about anyone tokin' up and hoppin' in, more about effects of being a regular pot head and diving. I'm pretty sure most would agree that diving under the influence of anything is not the best choice. The condition of the pot head is forgetfullness, repetition of stories, forgetfulness, also, it effects your short term memory. If you can live with this, then it's all gravy.
Seriously though, I think it matters what type of diving you're doing, too. The harsher and more perilous the conditions, the more it matters. Also, is your buddy a stereotypical Half-Baked stoner or a pretty normal type of guy?

 

[RonFrank]

Im just wondering if there are any other affects besides the regular ones from smoking that affect people who smoke pot. Im not insisting I do. . .im just curious

I've known, and know many people who are regular smokers. Doctors, Lawyers, Engineers, Dentists, Teachers, etc. They function as productive sucessful members of our society.

The fact is our society uses drugs. This falls into MANY catagories including the legal addicts who feel valium before bed is acceptable but anything illegal is not. Alcohol is one of the worst drugs one can do IMO, but not only is it legal, it's marketed as cool, refined, sophisticated, etc.

My perspective is that most things done in moderation are not going to result in serious problems. This would include smoking.

IMO the real question boils down to, RU diving in a responsible manner? I would not bother me knowing that someone smokes pot, however if that individual feels the need to smoke before diving, I would seriously question that judgement, and the motives behind the action.

As to the effects of long term pot use by divers, I'd bet that there are a LARGE number of DM's that smoke daily in many areas of the world. However as many have pointed out, there has been little in the way of research to determine if there are real dangers associated with long term use by divers.

IMO anyone that I would want to buddy up with to dive better treat diving as the priority, and not feel the need to be intoxicated in any way while diving.

Ron

 

[Divemaster-K]

On the flip side, I've had folks in my group that could use some sort of tranquilizer while in the water.

But enough OPINIONS, I'd like to hear a factual answer to the original question. Any doctors in the house?

 

[kherron]

Well, here's my loooong story and $.02...
In 1981, NCSU required 2 years of PE for graduation and much to my surprise, Skin Diving and Scuba were two courses offered. I jumped at the opportunity. These classes were hell; taught by instructors who wanted to make sure that we were "in proper shape" to dive and that we knew how to solve any possible problem we might encounter. This was not an issue at the time, as I was in shape, spent my summers in the water and had spent many childhood hours praticing holding my breath during sermons to pass the time. I could hold my breath for over two minutes while swimming underwater. Several weeks into the skin diving class with the wisdom that reefer imparts, I went to class really stoned, thinking, "Man this'll be a blast." “Bwahahaha,” replied the smoke monster. I couldn't stay under for more than 15-20 seconds before I would surface in a panic. This continued for the entire class. I was not stoned for the next class, but much to my chagrine, my mental state had not improved. The instructor noticed my difficulties and suggested that I use a watch to overcome my temporal dysfunction. It worked! Whenever I felt panic, I would check my watch and continue until I had finished the task(s) at hand. I passed both courses with difficultly since checking a watch before and during performance of strenuous dive circuits adds to the task load. Try checking a watch when you can’t find your mask! Even after certification, my ability to perform without air was so problematic; I quit diving for 20 years. In 2003, I found a deal that couldn’t be refused on new gear at my LDS. I enrolled myself and my 15 year old daughter in an OW class. I had known the instructor for a few years and explained my history. He agreed to instruct me and watch for any “Screaming Tiger” that might creep up. This was difficult since I wouldn’t let my kid know why the DM and instructor kept asking me, in particular, “How are you doing?” Thankfully, the instructor created a few additional out-of-air situations for me and we found that I no longer panicked. When my child is my buddy, panic is not an option.

I will not dive while stoned. Some people might be able to dive after partaking, but if I can tell they’re wasted, I won’t dive with them. Paranoid, spaced out (or narc’d at 0 FSW) is not a healthy or sane way to dive. I don’t have any problems with people smoking, just not before diving.

 

[DocVikingo]

On the flip side, I've had folks in my group that could use some sort of tranquilizer while in the water.

But enough OPINIONS, I'd like to hear a factual answer to the original question. Any doctors in the house?

There does not seem to be any readily available published research on the topic of diving and marijuana. I suspect this is largely because there appears no good reason for performing such study and because of attendant funding issues.

However, we do know a great deal about the adverse effects of marijuana at normal atmospheric pressure and many of these pose an obvious risk for scuba. And, it could be argued that the possible effects of increased partial pressures of gasses inherent in scuba (e.g., nitrogen narcosis, central nervous system oxygen toxicity) could make many of the topside influences of marijuana even more problematic.

Among those effects with solid scientific support are:

1. Increased susceptibility to anxiety, panic attack and associated autonomic nervous system arousal, e.g., increased heart rate, alterations in the speed and depth of breathing.

2. Decreases in motor coordination.

3. Impaired short and with enough abuse long-term memory.

4. Distorted perception.

5. Impaired attention and concentration.

6. Decreased judgment and impulse control.

7. Increased susceptibility to seizures.

8. Respiratory abnormalities such as excess mucus, coughing and breathing difficulty.

There are compelling medical, ethical and legal objections to diving while on marijuana or other illicit substances known to compromise central nervous system functioning.

IMHO, doing so would be incredibly foolish.

Best regards.

DocVikingo

 

[Mako Mark]

As I have spent the large part of my diving career in countries that have less than strict enforcment of drug laws, I have seen hundreds if not thousands of divers and dive professionals that are regular (to daily) users.

I have not noticed any change in performance of divers that partake.

I could count on my hand the people I have seen that were stupid enough to dive or attempt to dive while under the influence.

Personally I developed an allergy to the stuff and when someone lights up I have to leave the room or my throat swells up and I consider myself lucky that GANJA is something that I just dont have to worry about in my life.

 

[H2Andy]

ok, anytime you use drugs (alcohol included) you are going to

1. drecrease your cognitive faculties

2. impair your sound judgment

3. impair your response time

ah... is this what i want when i am diving?