Divers with Asthma

[cgvmer]

My 13yo son has Asthma, after long discussions with his doctor (also a diver) he cleared him for diving. Initially, he was diagnosed with exercised induced asthma, but after 2 years of history this was changed to allergy induced asthma. My son, is rarely on any medication for asthma, except during his bad allergy season in late August, when it so happens his football camp also starts. Otherwise he is on a swim team and 5 days a week swims 4-5000 yards without incidence.
I suggest if you have asthma, you talk with your doctor and analyze your condition and the issues related to diving.

 

[Razor.]

I also have asthma and dive. When I was younger I had Asthma bad! But I attended summer camps for 5 or 6 years and learned to control my breathing and bring my most severe attacks down to nothing in minutes. I was lucky to grow out of most of it. It is classified as allergy induced now and is pretty minor.
I attend checkups with my doctor every 2 months and make sure I am in top health. I also exercise and maintain strong pulminary and cardio health. I take my asthma very seriously and feel I can competently dive with it....
But if my asthma ever acts up in the most minor way just once during a dive, I will walk away from diving to save myself and my buddy forever.

But I am so new to diving, I have a lot to learn before I will attempt anything more then the safest of dives. Treading lightly.

 

[Womble]

See below...

 

[Womble]

I was diagnosed with mild allergic asthma about 2 - 3 years ago. I receive chronic treatment with Advair (twice a day) and I have never had an 'attack' (an acute severe bout wherein my life felt like it was in danger), certainly not since I was diagnosed. Breathing tank gas always makes me feel, if anything, better, presumably because the air is filtered, and perhaps also because at the ocean there tends to be lower levels of the sort of allergens to which I am allergic. FYI, I am a DM so I dive regularly, and when working with classes, it can also be quite stressful!

I get the usual annual check-up from my doctor who is familiar both with my condition and my work as a DM. I certainly recommend a doctor who is familiar with diving. Those who are not might be tempted to err on the side of unnecessary conservatism, and that would be a shame.

I would think the most dangerous sort of asthma for which diving would be contra-indicated would be the exercise-induced variety (not to say that other types couldn't be a concern, particularly severe chronic asthma regardless of the trigger). One can imagine that, especially under stressful situations like a rescue or other emergency, an asthma attack would be problematic.

 

[bvmjethead]

Will be watching and reading this thread closely as my (step)son has asthma. He will be turning 9 in April 07' and wont be diving till he's at least 10 and is cleared by his Dr.

I need education to make an informed decision as his parent/guardian.

 

[DeputyDan]

My daughter has asthma and her major trigger is exercise in cold conditions.

Thus we are warm water diving whimps! No asthma issues with diving and she has been diving five years.

 

[BrendaCamp]

I'm glad I found this board and this thread. I've been certified for three years now and just received a preliminary diagnosis of mild asthma (adult onset). I cannot imagine not diving but the pulmonologist I am seeing isn't keekn on it. I've been searching the web for information and have found conflicting info (imagine that). I have never had an asthma "attack" nor had to use Albuterol but have experienced shortness of breath. I did notice on a couple of dives last November that when I surfaced I was very short of breath. I've started taking Advair and Singular (for about three weeks now) and believe I can tell a difference. We're headed to Roatan the first week in March and I'm planning on diving at least once to see how things go. I have a doctor's appointment before we go and hopefully my lung function will have improved. Thanks for listening!

 

[Chaseh]

I'm sure your Doc will suggest this, but make sure you get a peak flow meter to track your baseline. You'll then be able to tell if there are slight incidents that you may not even feel. As I posted earlier, my asthma is about as mild as it comes apparently. Without the diving I'd be on Singulair alone, but my extra cool (and well renowned in the region) pulmonologist has prescribed some extra measures to ensure safe and happy diving continues.

BTW, I was really disappointed with two attempts at getting referrals from DAN in my area. Without going into the details, it was basically useless information both times. If you're in the DC area, send a tell if you need the name of a solid pulmonologist and I'll pass on the na,e.

 

[spectrum]

My wife has mild allergy/dust induced asthma and scuba is a delightful respite from her irritants. The same holds true for me and summertime pollen allergies. She will use her inhaler as a precaution and is diving with her doctors consent. She has been fine though nearly 70 mostly cold water dives.

The medical and dive community view has changed a lot in recent years. There is still some very contrary to diving with asthma reading that can be found on the web, much of it from the UK.

See your doctor and if you don't think he's on top of his game when it comes to diving contact DAN to locate a dive savvy physician in your area.

Pete

 

[pakman]

Interesting thread... I've got an old friend of mine who recently moved out to Hong Kong. His wife was certified awhile back and I think they've gotten excited about the diving here in Asia after all the stories and photos I've shown them from my adventures.

But my friend has asthma and he said his previous doctor wouldn't clear him for diving (not sure how long ago that was). Although he's a close friend, I embarrassed to say I don't recall if it's allergy triggered or exercise induced. But he's also one of my old snowboarding buddies so I've seen him out there in the cold in high altitudes hoofing it up slopes and I think I've rarely seen him pull out his inhaler in the past.

I'd love to see both him and his wife enjoy the amazing diving out here in this region, but not if it's jeopardizing his life. Maybe I'll kindly suggest he talk to a diving doctor out here.