Diving with seizure disorder

[Jesszika]

I had the first seizure in my life back in May, and I was put on anti-seizure medications. I've finished my OW cert, and I've been on 4 shore dives locally since then. This weekend I had another seizure (not while diving) and I'm wondering if I have to stop diving altogether. Does anyone have any advice for me? The most peaceful, comfortable place I've ever been is down below. My triggers are stress and lack of sleep, and obviously I need to keep taking my anti-convulsant. Please share your experiences, I really appreciate it.
Thank you!
-J

 

[knotical]

Caveat: I am not a physician.

The only experience I had was with a student who had her first seizure a week after her pool sessions, but before any open water dives. After consulting with her physician, she discontinued the course. I think most potential divers with seizure disorders are given similar advice.

The medical statement at this location: http://www.wrstc.com/downloads.php is one used by several certifying agencies. It indicates that seizure disorders are a severe risk condition.
Another source is DAN’s website ( http://diversalertnetwork.org/ ): just search on “seizure”.

Was your certifying instructor aware of your condition? Ultimately, your physician should be involved in any discussion leading to a decision whether to continue diving. Having a seizure while diving, is a drowning waiting to happen. I’m sorry to be so negative, but is the serenity worth the risk? Perhaps you can find other peace-engendering activities.

 

[Mafiaman]

If you were to get a physician to sign off on your condition, my recomendation would be to never dive with out at least a Dive master as your your buddy/guide. Fill him/her in completly as to your condition the history and how you act while under a seizure so this person can 1) be prepaired or 2) turn you down.

My personal recomendation: Please don't.

 

[Meng_Tze]

This is a difficult one.

I personally would assess how this falls in my life philosophy. Obviously it is dangerous to have seizures, especially under the water. On the other hand if I would find the risk acceptable I could continue.

This is a very personal decision you need to make and a forum can give you some views, but ultimately it is your personal decision........

good luck with that.

 

[eckybay]

Personally. I probably wouldn't, but as others have said - it's your choice. Talk to your doctor about the issue and make sure any potential buddies are aware of it if you do continue diving.

 

[DocVikingo]

I don't see it as a "personal decision" at all. IMHO, it's a decision with potentially very serious implications for dive buddies, others who may assist in a rescue or recovery, the dive operator, and the individual's family, friends and loved ones, amongst others.

A dive buddy who is informed of the medical condition and agrees to partner means essentially nothing. Even divers highly skilled in rescue techniques are largely helpless to make a mutually safe rescue of a convulsing or unconscious diver who is wearing standard scuba gear.

In any event, here is what some august bodies have to say

1. DAN:

Epilepsy and Diving: Why It's Not A Good Idea to Combine the Two http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/medical/articles/article.asp?articleid=71

Is it possible to dive if you have epilepsy?
http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/medical/faq/faq.asp?faqid=80

2. UK Sport Diving Medical Committee:

Neurological- epilepsy
http://www.uksdmc.co.uk/standards/Standards- epilepsy.htm

Regards,

DocVikingo

 

[Medic of One]

Personally, I would forgo any more dives at least until you get the condition under control (a year since your last seizure). The main problems being 1) apnea and 2) availability of meaningful medical assistance.

Apnea is obviously the most pressing problem because maintaining an airway is precarious at best when you have the seizure on dry land in your livingroom. If the seizure is one of the major "Grand Mal" seizures you are in big trouble. Even moreso if you go into a status epilepticus where you are seizing for a prolonged period of time and need narcotic agents to knock you down. If you have either one of these seizures at any meaningful depth, you're probably going to die.

Assuming that you can be rescued from the water, you are going to probably need some serious medical intervention. First, how long will the apnea last? We don't know. You could become a vegitable. Second is there any secondary trauma associated with the incident? Third, if you are status epilepticus, and an amazing rescue can be made (it will have to be a brilliant one) can the airway be protected and drugs be given in a timely manner to save you? Probably not.

That being said, I am not a doctor, and that is a conversation that you REALLY need to have with him or her. My unqualified medical oppinion: Don't risk it.

 

[Medic of One]

King of the double Post

 

[jerryn]

Sorry, but for the sake of your family, friends, dive buddy, the team who does the the rescue or recovery, everyone you might care about or who will come to care about you...stop diving. This may not be what you want to hear, but I doubt if anyone who is being honest would give you a different opinion.



Jerry

 

[trigfunctions]

If you keep diving, and that's up to you and your doctor, it seems like it would be prudent to limit yourself to shallow depths and always dive with a DM who understands your condition right at your side. That way, if you did have a seizure the DM would be able to get you to the surface quickly with less risk of DCS. There is a ton of great diving to do within 20 feet of the surface! Here in Broward County there is beach diving, the Blue Heron Bridge (so I hear) and the wreck of the Copenhagen all in shallow water. Your tanks last longer and the light is better at shallow depths too.