Can you dive with Asthma?

[shakespear]

My brother is interested in diving but has Asthma. I noticed it was a question on the discover scuba class.

I'm assuming a Dr would have to sign off on any class he took.

What are the challenges in diving with Asthma?

 

[scubadada]

Asthma and Diving

Asthma is a disease characterized by narrowing of the breathing tubes. Read about the risks for divers, complications and treatments.

dan.org

 

[BlueTrin]

In addition to what @scubadada said, you’d usually take an appointment with a doctor specialised in hyperbaric medecine and get a sign off.

When diving with a centre they will make you sign a health questionnaire, if you answer that you have asthma, the dive centre will ask to see a medical certificate.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

It also depends on the instructor. Even with a medical clearance, the instructor may choose to not take on the additional risk.

 

[VikingDives]

I used to have Asthma and still have exercise induced asthma. I've taught a few students with one or both, none had problems getting a medical clearance.

I've never seen an asthma attack during a dive, though I'm sure it could happen. My experience is that most asthma is environmentally induced and breathing filtered air is sufficient to avoid problems.

I did work with a diver who used an inhaler before every dive in an attempt to avoid having an attack, but she's since stopped doing that at my suggestion - the inhaler was increasing her air consumption and stress in the water.

 

[tridacna]

When diving with a centre they will make you sign a health questionnaire, if you answer that you have asthma, the dive centre will ask to see a medical certificate.

Usually required only for training classes. Depends where you go. Some do - some don’t - but ALWAYS for training.

 

[dmaziuk]

...
I've never seen an asthma attack during a dive, though I'm sure it could happen. My experience is that most asthma is environmentally induced and breathing filtered air is sufficient to avoid problems.

At a guess, dry cold (from expansion) air might be a problem -- but I don't have asthma, just fairly mild allergies, so... find a doctor with a clue about diving.

 

[sheeper]

Asthma can have lots of different causes and triggers. I've been diagnosed with asthma but it is not exercise induced and my pulmonary function tests are all better than normal for my age. My condition is kind of unusual and finding the right doctor was key to being able to dive (safely).
It comes down to what triggers asthma and how well controlled it may be. It is critical to get a full exam and clearance from a pulmonologist who has a hyperbaric/dive background. Online advice can get one killed. www.dan.org can help.

 

[dsvs]

Longtime asthma sufferer and doctor here. The simple answer is "it depends". For most people once their asthma is well controlled diving is fine, but triggers can vary by patient. Mine are dust and pet hair so being on a dive boat is rarely an issue. I do take a combination inhaler with a steroid and long acting bronchodilator for 24 hours prior to diving as a precaution. It's also sensible to make sure your buddy and dive boat crew know your condition, and to have an inhaler on the boat.

I would be wary about using "normal" pulmonary function tests as reassurance. Asthma causes reactive narrowing of the airways and in between attacks your baseline can be normal or better. As many have said above, a consultation about your specific circumstances is essential.