sasserasser83
Guest
Hello!! Just a little insight on what you may have to do if you would like to become scuba certified as a recreational diver and living with diabetes. I am a 25 y/o single mother who 5 yrs ago after having my son became an insulin dependant diabetic. This happened after I was pregnant and there is no explaination to why this happend bc I was a perfectly healthy woman. Shortly after giving birth to my son I became very ill and was unable to shake what 3 doctors thought was just a case of post partpartum depression. After explaining my signs and symptoms to a third doctor it was to late whatever viral infection I had already destroyed my pancreas and I became an insulin dependant diabetic. Now five years later this is not something that is new to me. I am controlled by and insulin pump and I see my doctor every three months for lab work and just a visit with any questions or concerns. My last A1C was a 6.1 which is considered to be very well controlled. I became intrested in scuba a couple months ago and started doing research and found that the most worried about effect that a diabetic may run into is hypoglycemia while under the water. I understand the problem but I could just as easily have a "low" insulin reaction on land while I am driving, sleeping, working, or just working out at the gym. Another concern would be hyperglycemia which is just the opposite, "high". Back on the subject ... after doing the research I decide that the pro's weigh over the con's and I WANT to do this... First day of class we are asked to take this one page yes no type survey about your past medical history... and yes obviously they ask for me to have one of my doctor's sign a physical stating that I am OK and well controlled to participate in this activity. I did not think I would have a problem with this so I was like OK... no biggie I have run into this problem before with other activities I have wished to join in... My job as a Emergency Medical Tech. yes I work on an ambulance and also trying out for our SWAT medical team. I have overcome both of these obstacles so I figured my doctor would be more than happy to sign this release also... BUT he did not. So shocked I spent a day pulling together documentation of studies that have been done, DAN-limitations for diabetics.... pages and pages... so that I could possibly have my doctor reconsider the denial of Scuba diving. I have already paid and started the class, bought items for diving, not to mention I now have my heart set on it... I am not a quiter and I will hopefully hear something back from my endocrinologist ( a specialist for diabetics )( did I mention I went up to the doctors office and dropped off all of the documentation for him to look over and read?). When I was first diagnosed and I am sure many diabetics have heard this.. Do not let the disease control you, take control of the disease. I will overcome this obstacle even if I have to search for a doctor in my area who knows more about Diabetes and Diving. If you have any input by all means I would like to hear what you have to say... I have class tonight and need this physical signed off on by the 12th of Sept when we do our first open water dive. Cross your fingers... I promise I will again overcome this obstacle.
). You need a physician who is truly aware of the implications of diabetes in a diver, and who can objectively evaluate your history and your control and approve your application. I do not think, given the information you have posted and your obvious insight into your disease, that that should be a major problem.
