Asthma and Scuba Diving....

[TinyFins]

Hello, I was just wondering if someone is an asthmatic, will it be hard to get into the sport of scuba? ... Is it going to be hard for me to find someone that will train me?

Thanks,

Lany

 

[jonnythan]

It can or it can't. Ask your doctor. You might want to ask your doctor if you can see someone who specializes in diving medicine.

If you get a doctor's release, anyone will train you. Just be careful and unless your asthma is fairly mild, I'd stay away.

 

[Snowbear]

If it's well controlled without "rescue" inhalers, not excersize-enduced and cleared by a qualified doc, then yes, you should be able to dive relatively safely. If it's not well controlled, I would think the consequences of an underwater attack could be severe from trapped gas in the lungs.

 

[Zippsy]

Definitely talk to a diving doctor, rather than a a regular doctor that has some idea about scuba. The diving doctor will know what to ask and check for. They're also better able to tell you the risks. You'll need a certificate from the doctor if you do take up scuba and get certified by PADI (and I assume the other agencies as well).

As the earlier posts said, if you need medication to contol asthma fits, you should not dive. Today however, there is a wide range of what is called asthma and diving with many forms might not be a problem.

 

[paolov]

i am asthmatic.

i dive every weekend. Let me tell you a true incident last year. a diver was advised by a Padi Course director not to dive that particular day as he didn't look too good , due to his asthma. He went on a dive even after that advise. he signalled to his group he was to abort , he ascended on surface his mouth frothed, he ended up DEAD by the end of the day.

the lesson to be learned. even others are asthmatic it all depends on your individual state if you can dive or not.

I have been able to control or prevent my attacks from occuring. i also have stopped taking brochodilators or any medicines as i have experienced that it's irritating and risky to be inhaling my medicines before and after a dive, irritating.

i take aparticular type of tea. and it works wonders for ME. i do not say it will work for you. It may not even work nor you may even not like it. but i assure you it is non-pharmaceutical it is just plain tea.

 

[mobymark]

Welcome to the board. Best to see a Hyperbaric diving Doctor to check out the degree of your asthma and if it is safe for diving. As long as he gives you the okay, you should not have a problem doing a course.

 

[TinyFins]

Definitely talk to a diving doctor, rather than a a regular doctor that has some idea about scuba. The diving doctor will know what to ask and check for. They're also better able to tell you the risks. You'll need a certificate from the doctor if you do take up scuba and get certified by PADI (and I assume the other agencies as well).

As the earlier posts said, if you need medication to contol asthma fits, you should not dive. Today however, there is a wide range of what is called asthma and diving with many forms might not be a problem.

Oh, thats cool! I didn't know they had "Dive Doctors"... :yelclap:

 

[TinyFins]

i am asthmatic.

i dive every weekend. Let me tell you a true incident last year. a diver was advised by a Padi Course director not to dive that particular day as he didn't look too good , due to his asthma. He went on a dive even after that advise. he signalled to his group he was to abort , he ascended on surface his mouth frothed, he ended up DEAD by the end of the day.

the lesson to be learned. even others are asthmatic it all depends on your individual state if you can dive or not.

I have been able to control or prevent my attacks from occuring. i also have stopped taking brochodilators or any medicines as i have experienced that it's irritating and risky to be inhaling my medicines before and after a dive, irritating.

i take aparticular type of tea. and it works wonders for ME. i do not say it will work for you. It may not even work nor you may even not like it. but i assure you it is non-pharmaceutical it is just plain tea.

Thank you very much Paolov .... Thank you everyone also for welcoming me. :littlesho :littlesho

 

[DandyDon]

Wow Paolov! I think you just scared me out of diving. Anyone wanta' buy some good gear...? :yippie17:

Lany! Welcome to Scuba Board, but your thread got moved to Medical Forum - where this question will probably work better. Anyway, we have some real Dive Physicans who post here, so maybe we can get you some professional suggestions.

Have you talked with the Medics at DAN, Diving Alert Network? Ph 1+800-446-2671, Option 2. You don't have to be a member. I just spoke with them, and they started telling me lots of information, but you'd be better served to talk to them yourself.


don

 

[fins wake]

i dive every weekend. Let me tell you a true incident last year. a diver was advised by a Padi Course director not to dive that particular day as he didn't look too good , due to his asthma. He went on a dive even after that advise. he signalled to his group he was to abort , he ascended on surface his mouth frothed, he ended up DEAD by the end of the day.

Cause of death seems to be a textbook example of lung barotrauma. It may or may not have anything to do with asthma. Personally I'd venture toward the "breath-hold scenario" in the above case. I know plenty of asthmatics who dive. Very deep. That said, a diving doctor's opinion is always highly advisable.