Mild asthma, Spirometric tests, Just want to dive

[DreamingOfScuba]

I recently came from the Maldives very disappointed as I was informed I could not scuba dive due to my having asthma. I understood the situation because the island was a 50 minute plane journey, so about three hours by boat from the mainland Male. As I had never been diving before and had asthma they sent me to the island doctor. she passed me but told me not to go past 10 Metres on my first dive and she signed me off as fine. She did no medical checks or anything though. The dive team refused me point blank and told me to get signed off by my GP and also to go into an hyperbaric chamber to see if I am okay in that first. I can understand their concerns as there were no facilities on the island should I become ill.

I visited my doctor who has told me I need to do a Spirometric test before he signs me off. He said I will have the test, do some exercise and then do the test again. He said the results need to be identical.

I've never suffered an attack in my life and lift weights 3 times a week (heavy). I also do an hour flat out on an exercise bike four times a week first thing every morning prior to using any medication. I don't suffer any ill effects. I'm hoping the doctor doesn't get too scared to sign me off as I've read stories of this happening. Once I get signed off I'm doing a PADI course here in the UK.

Just wondering if anyone here has gone through this experience with the spirometric test in the UK or anywhere else in the world for that matter?

Sorry for the long post.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Have not had personal experience other than from the instruction side. We recently certified a young man (14) who has asthma. In this case it was necessary that it be controlled by medication. His md required him to be symptom free on the meds for 6 months before he would sign off. It ended up being almost a year due to scheduling issues but he did sign off. After what tests I'm not sure. But remember this, it is ultimately up to the instructor. You can get 5 doctors to sign off, but if the shop or instructor has doubts or is not comfortable taking on the liability then they do not have to teach you the course. In todays society it is not enough to be cleared sometimes. While you may be cleared and sign the assumption of risk waiver and have the medical clearance it does not stop your family from suing the shop and doctor if something happens to you underwater. It should be made clear to them that this is your decision. Also I would definitely not sign on with a shop that will take you at your word as far as your condition. This would scare me more than one who requires a couple of opinions. At any rate and I AM NOT A PHYSICIAN!!! I see no problem with you getting clearance from your md and go ahead and do the tests. If you do engage in heavy exercise as you say with no ill effects it should not be a problem. But I would also advise you to seek the opinion of a physician familiar with diving and dive medicine. You can do this by contacting the diver's alert network. DAN. Not sure if there is a UK office or version. Perhaps some of our friends on your side of the pond could enlighten us. Also contact some shops in the UK. Shops that certify and have been in business a few years usually have certified a doctor or two. Don't give up! Keep me posted as to your results.

 

[Chapik]

Hello. I got asthma for 30+ years. Used to have attacks every summer and fall. I dive for 20 years without any problems.Not to deep, about 130 feet.When I start to dive and begin my certification proccess, I don't even mention this problem.I'm not MD but have medical education, so unless you have wizling or couch or use ihalers at least once a day, should be no problem.But at any case it is up to you. How badly you want to dive.

 

[KMD]

I've never suffered an attack in my life and lift weights 3 times a week (heavy). I also do an hour flat out on an exercise bike four times a week first thing every morning prior to using any medication. I don't suffer any ill effects. I'm hoping the doctor doesn't get too scared to sign me off as I've read stories of this happening. Once I get signed off I'm doing a PADI course here in the UK.

Just curious, if you never suffered an attack in your life, how do you know you have asthma?

 

[craborn]

Find a doctor that is a diver. They understand!!!!

 

[the_cat_keeper]

I'm not sure if I have asthma... I took the spirometry test a few times and the result was always borderline. I'm ocassionally on ventolin and/ or cirrus, plus a couple of other antihistamine.

I've been diving for almost 6 years now, logged 200++ dives and never had problem. When I went through my certification, all I told them was that I had sinusitis. At that time, the doctor wasn't suspecting that I have mild asthma. We thought of confirming if I have asthma but decided against it when I realised that the only way to confirm it was to trigger an asthma attack.

Good luck, and I hope you would be able to dive too... it's such an awesome world down there!
Cat.

 

[spectrum]

First question seems to be what sort of asthma?
Cold or exertion induced may be an issue.

My wife has controlled senstitivity to dust and such and her doctor recomends diving as therapy!

Next is frequency and control, you sound good.

Find a dive savy doctor and follow his/her advice. DAN can help you find the rght people and help sort this out.

Asthma is not the point blank barrier to diving it once was. If you are advised not to dive take the message seriously as lung injuty may be the result, it's not just about inhaling when you dive, that pressure must be able to escape when you ascend.

I'm not a doctor, I just helped my wife with her legwork in this matter.

Good luck
Pete

I recently came from the Maldives very disappointed as I was informed I could not scuba dive due to my having asthma. I understood the situation because the island was a 50 minute plane journey, so about three hours by boat from the mainland Male. As I had never been diving before and had asthma they sent me to the island doctor. she passed me but told me not to go past 10 Metres on my first dive and she signed me off as fine. She did no medical checks or anything though. The dive team refused me point blank and told me to get signed off by my GP and also to go into an hyperbaric chamber to see if I am okay in that first. I can understand their concerns as there were no facilities on the island should I become ill.

I visited my doctor who has told me I need to do a Spirometric test before he signs me off. He said I will have the test, do some exercise and then do the test again. He said the results need to be identical.

I've never suffered an attack in my life and lift weights 3 times a week (heavy). I also do an hour flat out on an exercise bike four times a week first thing every morning prior to using any medication. I don't suffer any ill effects. I'm hoping the doctor doesn't get too scared to sign me off as I've read stories of this happening. Once I get signed off I'm doing a PADI course here in the UK.

Just wondering if anyone here has gone through this experience with the spirometric test in the UK or anywhere else in the world for that matter?

Sorry for the long post.

 

[DreamingOfScuba]

Just curious, if you never suffered an attack in your life, how do you know you have asthma?

I don't know I was put on the stuff when I was really young back in the late 70's early 80's. I personally think my coughing might have had something to do with living with parents who both smoked. Still been using sprays daily for entire life as a matter of course.

I'm not sure if I have asthma... I took the spirometry test a few times and the result was always borderline.

Anyone know what is an acceptable result to ensure diving being allowed on this test?

If my regular GP is an over-sensitive prat about the whole thing and doesn't want to take the responsibility even though I'm fine. I'll probably hunt down a proper dive doctor - it will be worth the cash I'm sure.

Thanks,

 

[Web Monkey]

Call DAN (Diver's Alert Network) and get a referral to a doc who understands both SCUBA and Asthma.

I'm not a doctor and don't play one on television, however, I believe that whether or not you can dive depends at least partially on what triggers your asthma.

Terry

I recently came from the Maldives very disappointed as I was informed I could not scuba dive due to my having asthma. I understood the situation because the island was a 50 minute plane journey, so about three hours by boat from the mainland Male. As I had never been diving before and had asthma they sent me to the island doctor. she passed me but told me not to go past 10 Metres on my first dive and she signed me off as fine. She did no medical checks or anything though. The dive team refused me point blank and told me to get signed off by my GP and also to go into an hyperbaric chamber to see if I am okay in that first. I can understand their concerns as there were no facilities on the island should I become ill.

I visited my doctor who has told me I need to do a Spirometric test before he signs me off. He said I will have the test, do some exercise and then do the test again. He said the results need to be identical.

I've never suffered an attack in my life and lift weights 3 times a week (heavy). I also do an hour flat out on an exercise bike four times a week first thing every morning prior to using any medication. I don't suffer any ill effects. I'm hoping the doctor doesn't get too scared to sign me off as I've read stories of this happening. Once I get signed off I'm doing a PADI course here in the UK.

Just wondering if anyone here has gone through this experience with the spirometric test in the UK or anywhere else in the world for that matter?

Sorry for the long post.

 

[spectrum]

If my regular GP is an over-sensitive prat about the whole thing and doesn't want to take the responsibility even though I'm fine. I'll probably hunt down a proper dive doctor - it will be worth the cash I'm sure.

Thanks,

So if a doctor who is not dive savy will sign off you'll feel good about it? I'd much rather be asssesed by someone who really understands the sport. In fairness I'm sure all doctors have a basic understanding.

No dive is worth dieing for, make sure.

Pete

PS, I hope your dream comes true, mine did!