Infrequent Blackouts, still scuba?

[Fastmarc]

It's called a hookah, and I don't see how it would impact the risk in any way.

It just popped into my mind because as Charlie99 said, it would act as a tether and if I remember correctly, it is usually done in very shallow water.
Extra precautions like a full face mask & an attentive buddy(ies) both keeping an eye and sharing the experience would help.
It won't be SCUBA, but if she really wants a taste of the experience, I sure more knowledgeable people could fashion something around something like this.

 

[rollerboi]

How in the world is a regulator going to act as a tether for an unconscious diver that's lost control of their muscles? Unless we're wrapping the hose in a noose around her neck or clamping it onto a full face mask, I just don't see it.

Unconsciousness will increase the chances of loosening/releasing the hold that the mouth has on the reg, and any possible benefit will slip away just like her air supply will when her body drifts away in a fit of unconsciousness. So not only will it not help, it increases the risk of her not having any air. [-]Genius with a capital T[/-].

Edit: I apologize. After reflection, I realize I was out of line and condescending in my response, especially when I know next to nothing about hookah systems.

 

[Charlie99]

How in the world is a regulator going to act as a tether for an unconscious diver that's lost control of their muscles? Unless we're wrapping the hose in a noose around her neck or clamping it onto a full face mask, I just don't see it.

Unconsciousness will increase the chances of loosening/releasing the hold that the mouth has on the reg, and any possible benefit will slip away just like her air supply will when her body drifts away in a fit of unconsciousness. So not only will it not help, it increases the risk of her not having any air. Genius with a capital T.

A genius with a capital T would have realized that the poster that mentioned a hookah system referred to using it with a full face mask. A genius would also realize that a tow belt is a standard part of a hookah arrangement. In other words, the downhose is first clipped off to a belt, and then a short section with no strain on it leads to the 2nd stage mouthpiece (or in this case, a full face mask). See how the hose in the image below first goes to a belt. Otherwise the diver would have to tow the float with his teeth.

 

[rollerboi]

Have fun diving, then.

I'll admit my ignorance as to hookah systems as far as the tow belt, but did not realize a full face mask was standard gear for such a setup. Clearly not a genius over here.

 

[spectrum]

Have fun diving, then.

I'll admit my ignorance as to hookah systems as far as the tow belt, but did not realize a full face mask was standard gear for such a setup. Clearly not a genius over here.

I don't know about standard but certainly an option.

 

[wardric]

What is causing it is irrelevant.

asthma used to be an automatic NO. Allergies can also be a dangerous condition for a diver... depending on what triggers it. I'm allergic to cats, therefore, I dont hug cats before going diving because I know it's the cause... and because I hate those damm furry devil's beasts too.

What is causing it is pretty relevant IMO.

 

[wardric]

There are aspects of the question that need to be clarified before anyone can deem your friend to be suitable or not for diving.

I happen to be susceptile to a condition that has caused me to pass out several times during hysterical laughter, it's a condition called vasal vega and poses no risk while diving. I offer this to illustrate that the friend could be passing out for a reason that is irrelevant to diving or be treatable.

The bottom line is to have her fitness to dive evaluated by a dive savvy physician. A follow-up consultation with DAN is also in order but she should have the input of a personal evaluation before engaging DAN in a call.

Pete

Note to self: dont do funny stuff underwater next time I dive with Pete

 

[scubajcf]

asthma used to be an automatic NO. Allergies can also be a dangerous condition for a diver... depending on what triggers it. I'm allergic to cats, therefore, I dont hug cats before going diving because I know it's the cause... and because I hate those damm furry devil's beasts too.

What is causing it is pretty relevant IMO.

The symptom is that she (paraphrasing) blacks out for 30 seconds +/-.
What is causing it is unknown. Could be high blood pressure ... who knows.

I am sure to this person, since blacking out is not normal body functioning, is very concerned as to the cause. If I were her or her family member, the cause would be very important.

However, irrelevant to the cause, the symptom alone is a contraindication to diving. The symptom, alone, makes this person a danger to herself, a danger to her buddies, a danger to her instructor/divemaster, a danger to her would be rescuer, etc.

Someone who, without warning, can be rendered unconscious regularly -- albeit infrequently, should not be diving or doing any other activity in which she could do calculated harm.

I hope for her sake and her family's sake she finds out what is causing this and she gets better soon.





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[wardric]

A great friend of mine wants to learn scuba but she has an occasional medical problem in which once every 1-3 months she will black out for about 30 seconds.

Although the chances of it happening while diving are very slim, it is still a risk which would probably disqualify her during the dive medical. Would she be able to get an approval if her equipment mitigated the risks during such a blackout? ie: full face mask

She doesn't have fits or seizures or stop breathing and just goes limp during the blackouts.

The symptom is that she (paraphrasing) blacks out for 30 seconds +/-.
What is causing it is unknown. Could be high blood pressure ... who knows.

I am sure to this person, since blacking out is not normal body functioning, is very concerned as to the cause. If I were her or her family member, the cause would be very important.

However, irrelevant to the cause, the symptom alone is a contraindication to diving. The symptom, alone, makes this person a danger to herself, a danger to her buddies, a danger to her instructor/divemaster, a danger to her would be rescuer, etc.

Someone who, without warning, can be rendered unconscious regularly -- albeit infrequently, should not be diving or doing any other activity in which she could do calculated harm.

I hope for her sake and her family's sake she finds out what is causing this and she gets better soon.

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who says it'S unknown. The OP isn't clear on that one.
If your assumptions are right, then of course it's a No No.

Strangely, he didn't come back to this thread since he posted it.

 

[dewayne405]

OP... If you care about your friend, then definitely a resounding NO! IF on the other hand, you are out to collect on life insurance, well still NO!...

IF she is DIEHARD DEADSET... going to go, then first contact DAN, find a diving DR and get a FULL medical workup... find the problem that is causing the blackout/which could easily be a "petit mal" seizure or chemical imbalance/dehydration/or a host of other biological abnormalities.. IF DAN and the Diving DR and her own personal DR will give consent, then and only then, would I begin to look into shallow hookah systems to start and only with competent and able rescuers on full alert. Otherwise, this is truly a no-brainer... no diving where the risk of death outweighs the enjoyment of diving...