New guy intro

[baitedstorm]

Heya and welcome to the Scuba Board. This is the perfect place to hang out during a SI... Tons of great information from all different types of divers, and a great place to meet new dive buddies!

Congrats on a dream come true, dive safe!

 

[DandyDon]

Howdy!

Welcome to SB!! :happywave Put us in your computer's favorites and check in often. This is a great place to learn, compare, argue Look around our various forums - everything from New-To-Scuba to Instructors-Only to Dive Medicine.

I've had some diabetic dive buddies, but none with a pump, I don't think? Admire your determination! Some people are more easily challenged. We have some excellent pros sharing opinions on Medicine forum, if you want to discuss this there?

don

 

[tracker]

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!

I live far eastside Indy. Certified 1981. Not much diving since. Getting recirt next month. Would love to hook up. This board is fantastic. Getting wife and kids to dive too. Beats the heck out of going to the mall.

 

[mgersch@cox.net]

Hi Brian,
Welcome to scubaboard
Congratulations on the completing your open water class.
I think it great that you are not letting DM stop you from diving.

About diving with an insulin pump..........
I am a physician and I have some experience with the pumps,
but I have no specific information about diving with the pump.

However, if you asked me about it, I would tell you not to do it. It seems like asking for trouble. If you are in the middle of a dive and that thing malfunctions (which it may due as it is not designed to work at depth) and spits out a lot of insulin you could be in real trouble.

The other side of the coin is that, so what if your blood sugar runs a little high for a few hours? The point is your sugar should be well controlled as much as possible, but it is not critical that your blood sugar be perfectly controlled every second.

Unless you are a professional diver or are diving every day, I think it is probabely safer to let your sugar run a little higher while your underwater and give yourself a shot when you come up. A hypoglycemic episode underwater could kill you.

Anyway, that is just my opinion, and I am not a specialist in dive medicine. Congratulations again on not letting DM stop you from diving and welcome to scuba board.
-Mike

 

[murphdivers286]

Welcome Aboard!!!

It's addictive, but who cares?!?!?

Good friends and good info. What could be better???

P.S. - If you have not already done so, please fill out your profile.

I'm glad you were able to accomplish your dream. Just be careful, so we can get a chance to dive with ya. I'm not a doctor, but what mgersch@cox.net said sounds like good advice.

 

[Matt the Aquaman]

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!

Hello from Matt,

Welcome to SB! :scatter: I came here to look for help with my scuba diving dream and the response has been fantastic. So, I know you will enjoy being a member here.
There are a lot of nice and informative scuba divers. It's a good place to meet other divers and share experiences and dreams. Take care from Matt.