Diving with an injury?

[jaxjags64109]

My wife and I are new divers and planned a trip to Mexico and belize for Sept. 2008 with diving as the primary vacation activity. About 5 weeks ago my wife had surgery to repair two tendons in her left arm due to a dog bite injury. She has limited mobility in her left hand as a result and is wearing a plastic brace which makes gripping with her left hand near impossible. I am concerned that she will struggle to negotiate a ladder getting back into a boat with only one hand. My other concern is her ability to maintain buoyancy using only her right hand.

Any thoughts or similar experience that might allow us to make an informed choice about the decision to dive?

KM

 

[Maui Bound]

Sounds like it would not be a good idea for her to dive. Not to mention that she will also be your buddy should you need help.

 

[robint]

It can be done, but as newer divers I would recommend you wait. She could injure herself worse by trying to do things like climb a ladder on a moving boat. Did you buy any trip insurance? See if you can postpone the trip at least a month without too much $$$ penalty.

 

[Doc]

The issue of maintaining buoyancy with only one hand?

It is simply a matter of being able to manipulate the BC inflator and all deflators/purge valves with her right paw. If she does not have the comfort level and ability to do this, absolutely skip the diving.

Negotiating the ladders? If she can hand her gear up to the awaiting boatsman, she is half way home. The next part is kinda' whacky... until you think about it...

During her dive, she can wear this rig, awaiting use for her exit: Find 8' of 1" nylon strap. Nothing all that heavy duty. Cinch it in a fixed loop (not allowing any further constriction with any tugging) around her chest, just under her armpits. It should be tight enough to generally maintain position, but not so tight as she would notice.

Tucked under her BC, and now exposed after passing her gear up, trail off the remaining length of strap with a series of hand hold loops. The boatsman can easily assist her aboard.

It's the quick and dirty version of this: http://www.americanrescueequipment.com/exha.html

Unless she is in otherwise excellent physical condition, unless she is absolutely capable of manipulating the device with one hand, I would skip the diving. If she were my buddy I would deal with her as I would any other handicapped diver. It would be all about them, and I had better be on top of the game.

Here's a strap device that would be used for handing the gear up....

 

[don Francisco]

I'm a firm believer in the philosophy that if you can, do, so consider this biased.

Most diving is a no hands affair except for the BC inflator, which is right handed. The ladder is an issue, but certainly not insurmountable. As Roatanman suggests there are alternative ways to manage or get help for the exit. So if you both want to dive and she feels up to it, I'd say go for it.

One thing to consider is that you're both new divers. Make sure the divemaster is aware of this and her hand problems. You might also see if there is an experienced diver travelling solo who wouldn't mind joining you two in a troika (three horse team), which if nothing else might bolster your and your wife's confidence. Also some dive operators offer the option of hiring a private divemaster at a reasonable cost, and this may make sense for your first few dives.

 

[jaxjags64109]

I appreciate the input.

We did not purchase trip insurance and the cost of cancelling is greater than I am willing to pay. I am more willing to simply change the planned activities and proceed with the vacation.

I considered the removal of the BCD prior to negotiating the ladder and I believe doing so will make a significant difference regarding this concern. We will also have the opportunity to complete a shore dive prior to ever getting on a boat in Cozumel which I think should really help us to make sure she can maintain buoyancy and practice in 20-30 feet depths.

I have a little more actual diving experience and I am clearly the more interested diver in regards to learning more about the sport than my wife. Based upon this role as my wifes dive buddy, I want to respect her desire to dive (and BTW, she has been cleared by her doctor to dive) and balance her desire with practical precautions. I'm not sure she has a realistic perception of how hard negotiating a boat ladder in the ocean with two fully functional hands can be, just because she has a personality that dictates that there are no obstacles she can't overcome.

I really appreciate everyones thoughts on the issue as your input has sparked some thoughts about how we can safely enjoy some diving while minimizing the risks.

KM

 

[tomboyy]

If you and your wife feel comfortable ... go for it. There might be some things you'll have to work around but as long as there is really no safety issue...dive

I just had Knee surgery. I was asking the PT about diving and she asked if I had a trip planned and I said yes I was diving on Oct. 20th and she said well seems like whatever I say your still going and I was like uhh yea .. but I was talking about diving in Sept.

Tom

 

[TSandM]

If she can get out of the gear in the water, and the water is calm, she can most likely climb the ladder one-handed. If the water is rough, I personally wouldn't chance it, because falling off a boat ladder is an invitation to get whomped by the ladder or the boat. I don't think I would try to climb a ladder one-handed with my gear on, though.