Cystic Fibrosis and Diving

[diveshack]

I have a friend who is very interested in diving. She has cystic fibrosis and it mainly affects her digestive system. She has heard different things about diving with CF. Do you have any suggestions? please email me at stdtrh13@shsu.edu
Thank you,
tommy

 

[scubafan99]

Hi, I ran across an old post that had no replies. I know someone with CF that wants to dive but was advised against it. They have normal lung function but were told not to dive "just in case there's something we don't know".

Does anyone know of any recent research or medical opinions either way?

Thanks!

 

[DocVikingo]

Hi scubafan99,

There are individuals with CF who SCUBA (e.g., Michelle Jones Standout Athlete with Cystic Fibrosis Among 5,000 Undergraduates to Receive Diplomas This Weekend). However, there are several important considerations, primary among them the risk of infection of the lung (e.g., Pseudomonas) and breathing difficulty u/w.

If an individual with CF were going to dive, s/he would need to be free of or have only minimal lung disease proper (e.g., asthma, chronic bronchitis). Any person with CF considering diving should carefully read the "British Thoracic Society guidelines on respiratory aspects of fitness for diving (British Thoracic Society guidelines on respiratory aspects of fitness for diving -- 58 (1): 3 -- Thorax) and Doc Vikingo's Diving With Asthma.

They also have to be free of or well-controlled as regards electrolyte imbalances, nasal passage disease/abnormality, liver problems, digestive problems, diabetes, pancreatic inflammation and other medical issues that can be associated with CF.

And, to reduce the risk of infection, all gear with access to the lungs, i.e., reg system, would have to be regularly sanitized.

Of course the individual would have to be cleared for diving by his or her pulmonologist and any other specialists involved in their care.

Regards,

DocVikingo

This is educational only and does not constitute or imply a doctor-patient relationship. It is not medical advice to you or any other individual, and should not be construed as such.

 

[scubafan99]

Hi scubafan99,

There are individuals with CF who SCUBA (e.g., Michelle Jones Standout Athlete with Cystic Fibrosis Among 5,000 Undergraduates to Receive Diplomas This Weekend). However, there are several important considerations, primary among them the risk of infection of the lung (e.g., Pseudomonas) and breathing difficulty u/w.

If an individual with CF were going to dive, s/he would need to be free of or have only minimal lung disease proper (e.g., asthma, chronic bronchitis). Any person with CF considering diving should carefully read the "British Thoracic Society guidelines on respiratory aspects of fitness for diving (British Thoracic Society guidelines on respiratory aspects of fitness for diving -- 58 (1): 3 -- Thorax) and Doc Vikingo's Diving With Asthma.

They also have to be free of or well-controlled as regards electrolyte imbalances, nasal passage disease/abnormality, liver problems, digestive problems, diabetes, pancreatic inflammation and other medical issues that can be associated with CF.

And, to reduce the risk of infection, all gear with access to the lungs, i.e., reg system, would have to be regularly sanitized.

Of course the individual would have to be cleared for diving by his or her pulmonologist and any other specialists involved in their care.

Regards,

DocVikingo

This is educational only and does not constitute or imply a doctor-patient relationship. It is not medical advice to you or any other individual, and should not be construed as such.

Doc, thanks for the well reasoned reply! I had not seen it until today as I haven't been on the board for a good while. Do you, or anyone else have any additional or more up to date info I can pass along to the pulmonologist?

Thanks!

 

[DocVikingo]

Good to see you again, scubafan99.

Not to the best of admittedly limited knowledge.

Regards,

Doc

 

[Duke Dive Medicine]

Another consideration is the amount and condition of lung secretions - they're particularly tenacious in CF patients and a potential area for air trapping.