Hepatitus c and diving?

[jackiemize]

I read in a dive magezine if your hemoglobin is lower than 12 you shouldnt dive. Is this true? I have been on treatment for hcv for 3 months and have low red and white blood cells and hemoglobin is 11.5 . I just finished my OW yesturday but only went to 35 feet. I felt great and had no trouble . (Texas freshwater) Terrel Tx. Just wanted to know your opinion on this. I still have 8 months of this theropy.

 

[BillP]

Howdy Jackiemize:

There are several considerations with hepatitis, anemia, and diving. Symptoms from hepatitis can range from "none" where the hepatitis can only be noticed on laboratory tests to "very ill" where the patient has to be hospitalized. The less symptomatic the illness, the less it will affect ability to dive. Fitness to dive is decided on a case-by-case basis. You can read a little more about hepatitis and diving on DAN's website at:

http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/medical/faq/faq.asp?faqid=131

And a bit about hepatitis C and diving on Scubadoc's site at:

http://scuba-doc.com/hepc.html

Hemoglobin carries oxygen in the blood. Blood with a low hemoglobin carries less oxygen. I too have seen the 12 gm/dL cutoff for commercial divers. But like hepatitis, fitness to dive for a recreational diver with anemia should be decided on a case-by-case basis. In many instances a diver with a hemoglobin of 11.5 gm/dL would do just fine on a non-strenuous recreational dive. You can read some more about anemia and diving on Scubadoc's website at:

http://scuba-doc.com/overview.html

HTH,

Bill

The above information is intended for discussion purposes only and is not meant as specific medical advice for any individual.