Asthma..but cleared by Dr. (?'s in and an Oz. dillema)

[Scuba-newbie]

Hello!

I had asthma as a kid so I got checked out and got a pulminary function test and took the form to my Doc after. He signed off no problem. My dr. is not a dive specialist. Is this a problem? The release form looks pretty detailed and he seemed to not have a problem. In my experience, he is a pretty thorough and careful physician.

Also, for other divers that have asthma, how mild would you consider my symptoms compared to others who dive? Here is some info on my condition and current activity level. Sorry if it sounds like I'm showcasing my activity....that is not my intention at all. I just want other asthamtics who dive to consider my situation.

1. The pulimary funtion dr. was quite confident that I didn't have asthma at all after the initial lung test since my numbers were so good. After taking ventolin, my numbers got better though which visibly surprised him, therefore I have asthma.

2. I haven't used an inhaler at ANY time in recent memory. 5 or more years.

3. I have cycled to work 20km a day round trip, 10 months a year, for 3 years through the winter in a dry climate where temps often reach -25 in the winter. Also, the local altitiude is 3400 ft. (my understanding is that cold, dry air can often be a problem)

4. I run a 30min, 5k run with my dogs after work 5 days a week. (in addition to riding to work)

5. I ran a half-marathon two years ago.

In all of the situations above, the worst asthmatic effect was a small amount of slightly heavy breathing. (nothing requiring an inhaler) I feel pretty good about my situation but the fact that the Dr. wasn't a "DAN" doctor is my only real worry.

Finally, I heard that in Australia, Asthma is an absolute contraindiction to diving. If I go there, what advice do you have for me? I heard also, that for any medical condition, you must get an Australian medical as all others are not valid there. If I am cleared and certified ahead of time, what should I do in a place like Oz?

Sorry for the long winded post!

 

[spectrum]

Well after 7 hours I hope you realize that a definitive answer won't be found here. However let me offer:

*Kudos on getting the complete work-up, that's good to have in your pocket.
*I'm not a doctor, or even close
*My spouse has a level of asthma so I have done some reading on the topic realated to diving.
*Cold and exercise induced asthma are usually mentioned as the problem varieties.
*Diving is often a respite for allergy induced asthma.
*Dive air is very dry so having done excercise without incident in cold dry winter conditions bodes well.
*Getting clearance from a doctor that is dive savvy is always best. DAN should be able to connect you with someone in your region that can examine you and interpret copies of your test result.
*FWIW there are many astmatic divers. Controlled cases of the right varieties are cleared for diving on a regular basis. Even with a precautionary pre dive inhaler treatment.
*As for OZ, there could be implications to fudging things so it's risky at best, be careful here.
*It would seem that many other mild conditions and even non conditions could demonstrate a performance improvement with ventolin, but what do I know. I'd want to better understand the true clinical definition.

Good Luck,
Pete

 

[1_T_Submariner]

My wife and son both are cleared by our doctor and have asthma. They have around 20 dives and havn't had any probelms. Everyone is different however, good idea to get the med checkout first.

 

[rjpv]

I have mild asthma when I have a cold, my doctor cleared me without any hesitation (provided I don't dive with a cold... which you shouldn't do anyways) and suggested I use my inhaler as a preventative measure if I'll be doing lots of exertion and then immediately diving. I'm new but so far no one has been shocked about my story... I'm getting the feeling that mild, infrequent asthma is less of a contraindication than it used to be.

Still, according to DAN/everyone the theoretical risk is higher for asthmatics.

 

[spectrum]

I'm getting the feeling that mild, infrequent asthma is less of a contraindication than it used to be.

That is absolutely true. When I first started looking into it I stumbled on some older writings that deemed asthma and diving as mutually exlusive. This was esecially true of material from the UK.

The more I read the more permissible it is under the right conditions.

Pete

 

[rawls]

Sounds like you are doing very well if you haven't had any effects on the level of activity you have described. I have seen really severe cases of asthmatic bronchitis and mild cases...Yours sounds minimal at most...if there at all...Have fun...

 

[Dibblerr]

<SNIP>
Finally, I heard that in Australia, Asthma is an absolute contraindiction to diving. If I go there, what advice do you have for me? I heard also, that for any medical condition, you must get an Australian medical as all others are not valid there. If I am cleared and certified ahead of time, what should I do in a place like Oz?

In Oz you only need a dive medical to undertake Basic Dive training. I arrived certified having had no medical ever and was not asked for one. I only had to have a medical when I started DM training.You will find some shops like to stretch the point as with all matters diving... I did use Ventolin as a young teenager for an isolated case of asthma (something & nothing) and when I fill in medical questionnaires dont even bother with it, its a none issue.

Ultimately the decision is yours, its for your safety, it doesnt sound like you have asthma, Technically maybe.

FYI
From http://www.diveoz.com.au/learning_2_dive/medical.asp
--
Asthma. Firstly, what is Asthma? It is a condition that restricts the flow of air to the lungs having different triggers, grass and flower pollen, cold air, dust, mold, etc. and which doesn't necessarily exclude you from Scuba Diving. When having your Dive Medical, you must advise the Diving Doctor that you have this condition and they will question you about its occurrence and possibly send you off to a specialists who may perform a Pulmonary Function Test or/and a Saltwater Aspiration Test. These tests will check the functions of your airways and will also determine whether a spray of salt water under pressure will trigger the condition. The specialist will then give you a report for your Diving Doctor, then they may advise you of the consequences, so that you can make an educated decision and take responsibility for yourself, or, they may make the decision on your fitness to dive. Basically, if the test doesn't trigger the condition then you will be fit to dive, but if it does trigger the condition then you will be unfit to dive.
--
Also
http://www.divingcairns.com.au/divemedicals.html

Experienced Divers: Prior to diving, you may be asked to fill out a Medical Questionnaire; this is not a legal requirement but is done in the your own best interests. Some companies make it policy and some don't, unfortunately it is still quite a grey area and the rules are not hard and fast.

 

[Nova SS]

I have asthma and I dive. Asthma is not the same thing to all people. Its a very personal condition.

Im glad you got checked out by a doc but I would still get ahold of someone recomended from DAN, I had to drive 120 miles to see a "dive doc". Not so much for giving me clearance but to talk to someone about what the real risks are.

 

[khacken]

I have had asthma in the past as well, and got cleared by the doctor. the main thing to watch for is to make sure that you are symptom free before a dive. The big fear is that your bronchial tubes will constrict or fill with mucus while you are at depth. Then, as you ascend, the air cannot escape and will expand and create an embolism in your lungs. That is why exercise induced asthma will prevent you from diving, as the onset will occur at depth.

Another issue is if you have an asthma attack at depth. This is where is might be a good idea to get a preventitive inhaler to take before the dive. Of, course, I am not a doctor and speaking with DAN and your doctor is always the best course of action.

 

[ScubaJorgen]

My collegue suffers mild astma. He did some intro dive. Before proceeding he wanted to make sure he is fit for diving.

He visited a certified dive medical examiner who examines professional divers :1poke:. This examiner passed him to a specialist (an ENT I guess) that performed a thorough examination and testing of astma :whack:. Basically what was done was triggering the astma to occur and check how much flow capacity was left.

One danger is, like khacken states, is occurance of astma when you are down there. I expect the effects to be worse under water than above, because it easier to get out of breath. As a breathing exercise we occasionally go scuba rope pulling under water (in the swimmingpool). You really start feeling very bad when you get out of breath :death2:. I guess astma will induce the same effect.