New guy intro

[616fun]

Hi all,
I'm a newly certified diver that has been watching the posts here for some time. Thought I would finally introduce myself. My name is Brian and I live in Indianapolis, IN. I have wanted to dive for over ten years, but have come against protest from about everyone because I am diabetic.

Anyway - I finally have been able to get a doctor sign off and certified. I love diving - and have had no troubles with my diabetes during diving. That being said - I am in VERY good control of the disease, and know my body very well.

Anyway - my wife and I are going to the Bahamas in September and we are going to do the AOW course there.

My other interests in terms of training right now is drysuit diving. I wear an insulin pump and have to take it off to dive. I do ok that way, but it would be better if I was in a drysuit and not dealing with taking it on and off and playing catch up with the insulin.

Anyway - hope to chat with all of you soon!

 

[mstudley]

Welcome to the board!

I would contact your doctor and the manufacturer of the pump. Talk to them about the pump functioning at depth. You might also want to contact DAN and ask them about it or see if they have any information on their site (DAN).

You'll get lots of advice here and much of it is great, however always look to your doctor at some point for all things medical.
http://www.diversalertnetwork.org

 

[616fun]

Welcome to the board!

I would contact your doctor and the manufacturer of the pump. Talk to them about the pump functioning at depth. You might also want to contact DAN and ask them about it or see if they have any information on their site (DAN).

You'll get lots of advice here and much of it is great, however always look to your doctor at some point for all things medical.
http://www.diversalertnetwork.org

I have contacted both my doctor and DAN. Pump function at depth is something no one can really confirm. I do know that people are diving with pumps, as I recently talked to a White's rep who has sold dry suits to a few diabetics for that reason.

Again - there is very little info on the subject of diabetes and diving, let alone specifics around the issue. I hope to hear from a few diabetic divers in thi medium

 

[scubacucamonga]

My name is Brian and I live in Indianapolis, IN.

Hey Brian,

Welcome. We are new divers too, and we are going back to the Indy area in a couple of weeks to visit some friends and relatives (friends in Columbus, and grandma in Chrisman, IL (just south of Danville)). We'll be there 9/1-9/6

Anyway - my wife and I are going to the Bahamas in September and we are going to do the AOW course there.

WOW! I'm sure you will love taking your AOW there. It will be beautiful. Have fun...

Take care and be careful.

Marlin & Laree Snyder

 

[Scubaguy62]

Welcome to Scubaboard!!

Safe ascents!!

 

[Afraid_of_Fish]

Hey Brian,
Aboutt he pump, I would talk to some people and make sure it's not going to throw a fit if it gets a little wet, because sometimes water can get in a drysuit (ie. your buddy doesn't zip it up all the way, it gets cut on a rock or piece of coral etc.). Other than that, Good luck!

Anyway, Welcome to both ScubaBoard and Scuba Diving! It's great to have you! Hope to dee you around the board, or better, under the waves.

Cheers,
Jess

 

[^*^BATMAN^*^]

welcome, heres a link that can get you in touch with some pretty experianced divers/doctors. http://scuba-doc.com/scubaclinic/ i have had some troubles with ear infections, and it has been very helpfull.

 

[baltimoron]

well i really dont know much about diabetes (except some people here call it "diabetus" and others call it "diabetees"- you pick these things up when english is not your mothertongue.) but i can say welcome to the board and i am sure somebody here with answer your question. there is a whole forum for medical questions, so you might want to post there too.

good luck!
Zack

 

[mstudley]

I have contacted both my doctor and DAN. Pump function at depth is something no one can really confirm. I do know that people are diving with pumps, as I recently talked to a White's rep who has sold dry suits to a few diabetics for that reason.

Again - there is very little info on the subject of diabetes and diving, let alone specifics around the issue. I hope to hear from a few diabetic divers in thi medium

Well I wish you good luck in finding some answers. I hope you are diving the way you want to soon. Here's my last bit of advice to keep in mind stolen from d33ps1x's signature:

Before you bet your life on it are you sure the guy on the internet knows what he is on about?

 

[headhunter]

Welcome to ScubaBoard!

Sounds like you are doing all of the right things and asking the right people. We've got some doctors floating around (pun intended) in the Diving Medicine forum that may be able to add some insight.

Dive safe!

Christian