Finally did my first SCUBA experience and enjoyed it despite my disability

[Pettyfan45]

I don't know if the pump needs to be replaced routinely or have the battery serviced. If there is more than one manufacturer check out the other brands. Maybe you can get an upgrade at your next service interval . I know some brands of pacemakers are rated to 3atm (66ft saltwater), some to 5atm (132ft sw) and one or two to 7atm (198ft sw). These are the pressures they were tested to, not the ultimate crush strength, so if your pump is rated to 30ft don't freak out if you hit 32 but don't push it either.

The pump / battery (it is a combined unit) gets fully replaced every 5 to 7 years so it will be a surgery to have the old pump removed and new one put in, but medication gets refilled every few months (depending on the season). The Baclofen is in a liquid form so for refills it injected via a needle into the fill port under my skin.
Other pumps look to be a simalar design so most likely simalar depth restrictions.

Looking at some stuff on this it seems most of the extreme crushing damage is from people diving to over 100 feet and long times at 60+ feet might make the motor unhappy, so there is some buffer zone. Depending how long I need to be at 60 feet I might be able to a full open water cert and just go places with shallow water diving, definitely something to talk to the doctor about when I it refilled.

 

[KenE]

Keep chasing those dreams, it is the only way they become reality! Congratulations on this achievement! I have no doubt you will continue to amaze yourself and all of us with your progress, keep us posted. If ever in the Puget Sound area let me know, a great dive community here, we will make something happen!

 

[oya]

As I'm sure many people have pointed out there are a number of agencies and instructors who specialise in working with people who are differently abled. And there is a LOT of cool equipment on the market for people with all sorts of various specialty needs.

I've been diving a pretty good amount with another member of this board who is an experienced and talented cave diver who has the full use of only one leg.

While I was working in Hawaii we had a guest who would return once a year whose both legs were 100% paralysed. He took a very different tactic when it came to propulsion: a DPV (Diver Propulsion Vehicle... basically, a torpedo you clip to your harness, it drags you around and you just steer... they're mad fun).

So I'm delighted to hear that you've found something you find fun, freeing, and the fulfilment of a long-time dream. Hope you enjoy it enough to keep it up and find a lifetime of joy in it.

 

[grantmac]

No sure if a drysuit would help because the issue with pressure still on the body. (Not sure what insulin stuff your son uses, but all the stuff for my pump is fully inside me). That being said most of studies I have read on this talk about after 100 foot dives crushing the device's reservoir (the Baclofen is in liquid form) by almost half... Depending on how long I would need be a 60 feet for certification dive me and my doctor that handles my pump might need to have chat next time I get this filled

For my son the issue is water intrusion rather than ultimate pressure. I know in a drysuit you don't really "feel" the pressure when used correctly.
His devices are not implanted and get replaced regularly so it's less of a risk experimenting. I'd definitely want to have a good chat with my Dr before experimenting

 

[Marie13]

Woot! Great to hear, congrats!

 

[Pettyfan45]

Soooooo talked my doctor that handles my Baclofen pump. She doesn't see an issue with the couple 60 foot dives for getting certified, I just have to time it to either after getting refilled or close to end of life for the pump because it could be replaced anyway (I also need to bring some oral baclofen pills and depending where I do there dives see if there is hospital that a special computer to check pump if the warning alarm starts going off).

Alright disclaimer time, this decision is based on my personal health and particulars about my pump and should not used as medical advice on if you could dive with an implanted medication pump, this is still technically out of recommend manufacturer specifications there is chance to damage the pump or cause personal injures. This discussion needs to be between you and your doctor and I don't want to be liable if you just did it without talking to your doctor and your pump is damaged or you are injured. (There is that enough to keep Legal off my ass lol)

 

[Must_dash]

The pump / battery (it is a combined unit) gets fully replaced every 5 to 7 years so it will be a surgery to have the old pump removed and new one put in, but medication gets refilled every few months (depending on the season). The Baclofen is in a liquid form so for refills it injected via a needle into the fill port under my skin.
Other pumps look to be a simalar design so most likely simalar depth restrictions.

Looking at some stuff on this it seems most of the extreme crushing damage is from people diving to over 100 feet and long times at 60+ feet might make the motor unhappy, so there is some buffer zone. Depending how long I need to be at 60 feet I might be able to a full open water cert and just go places with shallow water diving, definitely something to talk to the doctor about when I it refilled.

AWESOME
If you know the make/model you could ask the manufacturer directly.

 

[Pettyfan45]

AWESOME
If you know the make/model you could ask the manufacturer directly.

Stuff like this they have you talk to your doctor, it depends on the drug in the pump (these pumps can be used for other drugs like narcotic pain meds that you should definitely not be diving on) and like flow rate on the pump and other things. That being said my doctor doesn't think my issues would be a problem for the 60 foot cert dives and long as take some precautions and if the warning alarm starts going off (the pump in my belly will start beeping) the dive going to need to be stopped.

 

[BoltSnap]

Stuff like this they have you talk to your doctor, it depends on the drug in the pump (these pumps can be used for other drugs like narcotic pain meds that you should definitely not be diving on) and like flow rate on the pump and other things. That being said my doctor doesn't think my issues would be a problem for the 60 foot cert dives and long as take some precautions and if the warning alarm starts going off (the pump in my belly will start beeping) the dive going to need to be stopped.

Have you consulted with DAN and/or a physician trained and certified in hyperbaric medicine and have their OK to dive?

 

[Pettyfan45]

Have you consulted with DAN and/or a physician trained and certified in hyperbaric medicine and have their OK to dive?

The best I am probably going to get locally my primary care doctor knows another doctor at her office who dives, so she will have me see him for my next annual physical and that, should be around March and we can discuss this more in depth then.