My girlfriend and I are leaving in 2 days for Jamaica and we plan on diving almost every day we are there (8 days). She just developed a cold and is pretty stuffy/congested which means I will probably catch it smack in the middle of the trip. Are we ok to dive if we are congested at all? Are there any over the counter meds we can take safely to try and help the problem? (Sudafed?). We are both beginners and wont be diving further than 40 feet most likely.
Diving with a cold.
- Thread starter Drex
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mfalco
Contributor
It is not recomended, but if you don't have problems equalizing than I would go for it.
It is also not recomended to take any cold medicines before diving, for 2 reasons. The first is that some may make you drowsy. The second reason is that if the medicine wears off while you are mid dive. ..
It is also not recomended to take any cold medicines before diving, for 2 reasons. The first is that some may make you drowsy. The second reason is that if the medicine wears off while you are mid dive. ..
Drex:
Equalizing will be your biggest problem. If you can do it in the first 40 feet you can probably do it at any depth. Remember though, just becasue you're able to equalize on the way down doesn't mean you'll have an easy ride on the way up. You may end up with a reverse block and that'll be quite nasty if it happens.
ScubaStarwatcher
Registered
Erm... didn't you cover this stuff when you did your diver training?
Drex:What is a reverse block? How serious?
Equalizing is not nearly as much a problem as the potential for a reverse block. Failure to equalize is remedied by ascending. With a revers, you have already equalized on descent, but can't release the pressure on ascent. You can stop the ascent and work on clearing, but eventually, you have to ascend. Think extreme pain and and the eventual rupture of the ear.
The danger of taking meds also includes the possibility that they will wear off during the dive. Sudafed before the dive can clear the congestion, but the side effects may cause problems.
Damselfish
Contributor
This is one of those questions that when you asked it, you probably already knew the answer at heart and didn't like it?
Some people do use Sudafed or other remedies to dive with mild congestion. As said there's always the danger of a reverse block. (I've had that happen twice, and it sucks.) You have a choice about going down but coming up, not so much. If you have an actual cold, I don't think diving is a good idea. Certainly not worth the chance of damaging your ears, perhaps doing some permanent damage.
Some people do use Sudafed or other remedies to dive with mild congestion. As said there's always the danger of a reverse block. (I've had that happen twice, and it sucks.) You have a choice about going down but coming up, not so much. If you have an actual cold, I don't think diving is a good idea. Certainly not worth the chance of damaging your ears, perhaps doing some permanent damage.
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