Fast question on Asthma

[pilot fish]

Was speaking to someone today about diving and she said she'd love to try it but her husband has asthma and he was told he could not dive, when they were at some resort. She asked me if that was correct and I told I didn't know but I would find out from the keen dive minds on Scubaboard. He was going to lie to the next place they went to and I told her DO NOT DO THAT. Anyway, he has, she said, only 30% lung capacity. Can he dive?

 

[pipefish]

Diving with asthma is not absolutely contraindicated. Have your friend check out this link on the DAN page:

http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/medical/articles/article.asp?articleid=22

The husband needs to be checked out by a diving doc to see if he can dive safely.

Hope this helps!

PF

 

[pilot fish]

Diving with asthma is not absolutely contraindicated. Have your friend check out this link on the DAN page:

http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/medical/articles/article.asp?articleid=22

The husband needs to be checked out by a diving doc to see if he can dive safely.

Hope this helps!

PF

yes indeed, that did help a lot. I would say that his case, with only 30% lung capacity, does prevent him from diving. It seems, after reading that great article you provided, that his case is severe and that would add too much risk. Thanks.

Does anyone know anyone that dives with asthma?

 

[eandiver]

Does anyone know anyone that dives with asthma?[/QUOTE]

Yes...me. I have borderline asthma. Not severe and the rare times it occurs it's controlled by Albuterol and Advair. Never had a problem in the water.

 

[BILLB]

Does anyone know anyone that dives with asthma?

Yes...me. I have borderline asthma. Not severe and the rare times it occurs it's controlled by Albuterol and Advair. Never had a problem in the water.[/QUOTE]


The SB has had some long, drawn out threads on diving with asthma. The subject has much controversy. The bottom line is that any air trapping malfuntion of the human breathing system while diving can be dangerous and may be fatal. Ordinary attacks under water may also be fatal.

Divers with asthma who still dive do so knowing the consequences. But, generally these divers known their limitations and take extrodinary measures to keep diving.

As a dive instructor, I would be very reluctant to teach anybody with asthma. Potential dive students may be better off learning to dive with a medical faclity adapted to helping those with medical needs.

 

[zboss]

Yes I dive with mild asthma and have been for years. Now - you might say that I am being selfish because of the fact that I might pose a greater risk to my buddies whom I am responsible for looking out for. On the other hand - a great deal of the diving population also is at extreme risk for stroke and heart attack, yet I see plenty of obese people diving. Smokers also lack lung capcity - but hey - I know lots of guys that smoke and dive.

Honestly - if your friend has only 30% peak capacity he shouldn't even be walking down the stairs and needs some major medical attention!

In the end - there is no law written that says you even NEED to be certified to dive. If you've got a boat and want to mail order your equipment from LeisurePro and then jump in the water after reading a book - go ahead people because people did it for years.

The point being - honesty with your buddies and yourself is one of the greatest diving assets.

BTW - Jst for the record I would definately recommend that your friend doesn't dive.

 

[pilot fish]

After reading your posts, and the great advice offered, I think I would tell her that her husband should not dive. With 30% lung capacity I would say that is too little and the risks for him, and others, too great. Thank you all.