Diving and Asthma

[I Dive]

I was just talking to a friend who said she would love to dive but years ago when she attempted to do a resort course was told she couldn't because she checked "yes" to a history of asthma on the medical. She has not had an actual attack in a long time and is in fact very active. She is able to ride a bike several miles and have no problem, goes camping, works, volunteers, babysits 4 nieces and nephews regularly, etc... The bottom line is she is an incredibly active person who is not slowed down one bit from her asthma. But, she does have a history of it. I don't know much about asthma, except it seems to put people out of breath and make them use one of those inhaler thingy's... I did some research and it noted that asthma can result in air trapped in the lungs. I think we're all well aware of how that can end... What are the latest medical opinions on asthma with diving? Does anyone know someone with asthma who is able to dive? Does anyone known of any asthma related dive injuries? Regardless of what is mentioned here, I will encourage her to talk to her doc before she attempts to sign up for lessons (if she ever does decide to) but I'd lke to get as much info as possible, not only for her but also my own personal knowledge. Thanks in advance for all info provided.

 

[tc]

A bit of reading material on the topic-


http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/diving-medicine/272830-asthma.html

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/diving-medicine/251332-talk-me-about-asthma.html

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/diving-medicine/208854-asthma-diving.html

DAN Divers Alert Network : Asthma & Diving

DAN Divers Alert Network

 

[I Dive]

Thanks TC, I'm pretty sure DAN would have been one of the next stops in my research but this saves time! I appreciate it.

 

[Funky556]

After reading a few studies about cronic problems realted to commercial and miltary divers; they all had one thing in common excellent lung function. I would say if your friend is active that she would have a low risk of problem. My own personnal view is that it would probably be helpful to her lung function. But I'm of the mind set that many things such as asthma can be trained out or thru.

 

[TSandM]

If she is physically active and asymptomatic for years, she's almost certainly okay, but she'll still be required to get medical clearance because of having checked that box.

We try hard not to diagnose kids with asthma nowadays because of things like this. We call it "reactive airways disease", and a lot of kids grow out of it.

 

[ScubaDocER]

If she is physically active and asymptomatic for years, she's almost certainly okay, but she'll still be required to get medical clearance because of having checked that box.

We try hard not to diagnose kids with asthma nowadays because of things like this. We call it "reactive airways disease", and a lot of kids grow out of it.

I agree with Lynne. My initial concern with asthma and diving is one of having an asthma attack while underwater. This presents a plethora of problems that can result in an emergency in a hurry. I would suggest that if you have an asthma attack underwater that you are having an emergency. Constriction of the tubes in the lungs and in the small sacs of the lungs can indeed cause air trapping which as stated above, is a bad thing. If she is as active as you state and has been without an attack in several years, then I would put the choice to her to dive with a FULL explanation of the risks associated with asthma and diving. If she accepts the risks, and her dive buddy understands her risks, then the choice is up to her Instructor to certify her and her choice to dive. The broad answer is that she should be seen by her primary care physician and cleared by them and/or a pulmonologist. From the little that you have shared, I cannot see an immediate reason why she cannot be certified to dive.

 

[DocVikingo]

Hi I Dive,

Doc Vikingo's Diving With Asthma

Regards,

DocVikingo

 

[CHUCK WEBER]

Asthma is a grey area as a contra-indication to diving. Australia will not allow asthmatics with history to dive as will many operations if you check yes to history of asthma. It comes down to liability with doctors and dive operations that disallow someone to dive.

There are mild asthmatics (those prone to allergies) that control their asthma effectively with over the counter or prescribed medication. These individuals are usually athletic, in good shape and have had no issues in regards to diving. I know of several mild asthamatics that dive.

Then there are severe asthmatics that are in need of constant medication and suffer from poor lung function. Those people should not dive.

Question where do you draw the line? Consult your doctor. Spirometry tests will give a good indication of lung function. Let your doctor preferably a pulmonologist advise.

Ultimately it is up to the diver, that knows their body (better than the doctor) to make the decision.

 

[DocVikingo]

Australia will not allow asthmatics with history to dive as will many operations if you check yes to history of asthma.

In OZ you can dive with asthma with written clearance from a diving medicine physician.

There are mild asthmatics (those prone to allergies) that control their asthma effectively with over the counter or prescribed medication.

Allergy-induced asthma is the most common form of this disease. "Mild asthmatics" are no more "prone to allergies" than other asthma sufferers.

Question is where do you draw the line?

The following may help in making that decision:

Diving Medicine: A Review of Current Evidence: Asthma (See page 404)
http://www.jabfm.org/cgi/reprint/22/4/399.pdf

Ultimately it is up to the diver, that knows their body (better than the doctor) to make the decision.

This is quite arguable. Most diving medicine doctors would opine that the ultimate decision is a joint one between the diver and his treating specialist.

Regards,

DocVikingo