new diver with health concerns

[sciondiver518]

as i stated in my first thread i am new to diving a i been reading alot about how you adjust to the pressure under water, mainly with ears and sinisus i have been diagnosed with chronic siniusitis for those who dont know what this is i get sinius infections very frequently, and alot of the time my sinisus' have some sort of congestion in them. so my question is what can i do to aleviate this problem i.e. medicins i can take or precautinoary (spelling) measures i can take so i dont get a squeeze. also i have a history of asthma i am on an inhaler but under vigorous cardio exercise i can become out of breath, i am wondering if this will inhibit my ability to dive. also i am 5'11" and weigh about 265lbs which is considered obesse will this cause any problems while diving even though i am over weight i have pretty good stamina. any insight on my prblems is mcuh appreciated

 

[Al Mialkovsky]

You honestly need a medical by a physician that is well versed in diving. If anyone on this thread tells you to just "go for it" then that person hasn't got a clue. At one time being asthmatic totally excluded you from diving but some asthmatic divers fought for their rights and now it's a case by case decision. You have to consider what medications you are on and perhaps even restrict their use on days you dive. Go to a doctor that is well informed about these concerns. Diving is not supposed to be a physical strain if you do it right which means you have to relax. Don't flail around with your arms and don 't speed around, it's a chill thing.

As far as being obese that also is a concern but I've trained divers over 300 pounds. One lady I trained was a fantastic diver as perhaps underwater she no longer felt gravity was her enemy. But how is your heart? Other obese divers have had a very difficult time finding a wetsuit that fits and if it's a cold water suit an even more difficult time trying to get into it. But you live in Florida so during the summer months especially that wouldn't be a problem.

Bottom line is listen to the doctors not to opinions expressed here. Then don't discount what the doctors say. The asthma thing would concern me much more than being obese. Can you swim a few laps in a pool without getting out of breath? If you are easily winded then hit the gym first, get a bit fitter.

You can't use your inhaler during a dive and you can't rocket to the surface to grab it either. One asthmatic diver I trained said there were days that he was more apt to have an attack than others and he could tell what days those were so if that applies to you then you'd have to be like him and know what days to take off.

Good luck, I wish you well. Be smart.

 

[JoshuaJ]

Not to hijack the thread but has anyone ever seen a 2nd stage integrated with an inhaler? That could make life easier for an asthmatic eh? Or just have a little spare air bottle filled with medication instead of air? Maybe breathing the chemicals from an inhaler under pressure might not be such a good idea though...

 

[Al Mialkovsky]

There are some medications when used at depth can kill you. So even if such a device worked you'd have to have those drugs approved. It's why divers on meds need to talk to someone with knowledge on diving science.

 

[padrogj]

There are some medications when used at depth can kill you. So even if such a device worked you'd have to have those drugs approved. It's why divers on meds need to talk to someone with knowledge on diving science.

Al brings up some great points. You want to make sure that when you are under the water, that your body is stable. Therefore, I cannot emphasize being proactive rather than reactive. If it is absolutely necessary to have medications present, then I would rather cancell the dive and make sure the conditions are stable or will not change while underwater.

Gary

 

[brucet]

I second the advice on seeing a doctor experienced with divers. PADI reccomends against taking medications before a dive as if they wear off underwater, you could end up with the problem of a reverse block.

 

[Teamcasa]

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A ScubaBoard Staff Message...

I moved this to Diving Medicine - you should get a better response here...

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[sciondiver518]

ok guys thanks for all the advice Al i didnt know that at one time if you were asthmatic you werent alowd to dive i just saw my primary dr and he put me on a daily inhaler, i can swim back and forth in my pool 6 or 7 times using my snorkle fins and mask with out getting out of breath, now to annother queston does any one know a dive Dr. in south fl

 

[Al Mialkovsky]

I do not myself know of one but I'll bet a penny the dive shop you want to use does.

 

[Scuba.com]

Here is a repost from something DocVikingo posted a few years back. Please forgive me if this is against the rules. I'm more into getting good info out than worrying about anything else.

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(Q) “Is there a listing of doctors who are divers or who are familiar with health issues of scuba divers?

If not, are there particular things I need to tell my family practice physician so that he can properly diagnose and counsel me?”

(A)

"Hi S…F…D,

Diving medicine is a sub-specialty and therefore the typical family practice physician is entirely unfamiliar with it. When dealing with issues of medical fitness to dive or with SCUBA-related injuries or conditions, on balance PCPs will not be up to the job.

Your search for a local doctor savvy in diving medicine is likely to involve some homework and effort. Here's some suggestions on where to begin (in my order of preference).

1. Ask DAN at (919) 684-2948 (Mon-Fri, 9AM-5PM EST) or https://www.diversalertnetwork.org/myaccount/mscc/emailmedic.asp

2. Contact the Undersea & Hyperbaric Medical Society http://www.uhms.org/Home/Contact/tabid/168/Default.aspx and inquire about Certified Diving Medical Examiners in your region.

3. This list of UHMS accredited hyperbaric facilities should assist in locating a qualified diving medicine specialist in your area --> http://www.uhms.org/Default.aspx?tabid=216

4. Local dive clubs and shops often have physicians they can recommend