Have you dived whilst taking the newer anticoagulant medications?

[Mark Downs]

WE ARE CONDUCTING A SURVEY AND WE NEED YOUR HELP!
ARE YOU A DIVER?
ARE YOU TAKING THE NEWER ANTICOAGULANT MEDICATIONS?

...
Currently we have little data on the safety, or not, of diving whilst taking the newer anticoagulant medications (not aspirin, warfarin or clopidogrel.) Diving doctors have been cautious in advising divers on these medications, mainly around the potential increased risks of bleeding, which may aggravate barotrauma or decompression illness. As these medications are increasingly being prescribed we would like to survey divers who have dived whilst taking these medications.

Therefore, if you have dived whilst taking any of these medications (Apixaban, Edoxaban, Fondaparinux, Rivaroxaban or Dabigatran) we would be grateful if you would take a few minutes to complete the linked survey. Although your answers will be treated confidentially we have asked for contact details if more information would be useful – you do not need to give your contact details if you prefer not to be contacted at a later date. Best guess answers for the number of dives done is acceptable.

This will hopefully give us an insight into the safety of diving whilst taking these medications.

Thank you for your assistance.
The London Diving Chamber & Midlands Diving Chamber Teams (UK)

Please click the link below to start the survey:

https://survey.zohopublic.eu/zs/CpCCPn

 

[Rred]

I've looked into this in the US, and the answer from the pros (doctors and responders alike) seems to be "It is your risk." The drug doesn't matter, because none of the anticoagulants can be "turned off" reliably or quickly. The few that have antagonists, are a nice theory except ER's don't usually have those on hand, so they may as well not exist unless they are going to be flown in. The traditional meds can't be turned off--but the ER's are familiar with giving platelet transfusions and other conventional ways of dealing with the issue.

It would seem that using a med with an antagonist is pointless--unless the patient is able to obtain and carry the antagonist with them, in order to ensure it will be available. "Kaching!" even if you can get the rx for it and keep it in date.

 

[Duke Dive Medicine]

Mark, good luck with the study, I'll be interested to see what kind of response rate you get!

Best regards,
DDM