New to Diving Questions - health

[boulderjohn]

I am surprised that no one has mentioned calling DAN for advice on this. If they cannot give you advice directly, they will suggest a doctor in your area who can. Since you are not in a time sensitive situation, you can use email to write full details. You do not have to be a member to ask a question.

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[$cubach!ck]

You mentioned you do not have health insurance. Many diver accidents are not covered by regular health insurance. Don't do any dives without dive insurance. Check out DAN.

 

[tursiops]

You mentioned you do not have health insurance. Many diver accidents are not covered by regular health insurance. Don't do any dives without dive insurance. Check out DAN.

As a student, she can get free dive-accident insurance from DAN through her instructor...until she is certified. Then the insurance stops. But since she does not intend to dive after certification, that's fine.

 

[Barryattle]

As a doc who dives, but not a diving doc, I'd say:
1) BP - as others have said, a long-term issue, but your readings should not be an issue for diving;
2) fainting or near fainting - that could kill you if it happens underwater, I'd be pretty hesitant to dive until/unless the cause became clear and there was a way to make sure it would not occur underwater;
3) GERD alone would not worry me (take antacid or meds.), but regurgitation could be dangerous - if you choke and spit out your reg., you're in trouble. We lost a wonderful diver here a little while back essentially from that (though his situation was more complex than yours).

At least until those are safely resolved, if they can be, I'd suggest diving's gateway drug - snorkeling in tropical settings.

 

[CuzzA]

***** I am new to ScubaBoard and am not sure if this is the correct place to post. I am just trying to gather information from well trained divers looking to help a new diver! Thanks in advance! ****


Hello all! I'm getting my scuba license in a month from now and had a bunch of questions related to health and diving!

26 yo Female 240 lbs 5'5

****Just to preface, this is a life long bucket list thing of mine to do since I was a child. I do not think I will be actually diving any time soon or ever for that matter. The certification in purely out of personal interest and knowledge / curiousity. That may change but as for now, this post is in regards solely to my cert. Thanks!

Question 1:
I saw you should not dive with high blood pressure. I currently am NOT taking medications for high blood pressure but tend to have an elevated BP when at the Drs office or checking via Walmart BP kiosk. They say it's not high enough to be an issue currently. But how does that transfer in the realm of diving. I took my BP earlier this week and got a normal reading of 114 / 80. However, yesterday it was 130 / 86. It fluctuates quite often. I have been working hard to lose weight and am down almost 20 lbs already for my cert and hoping the weight loss would have helped to lower it.


****** For background: I was in the ER months ago for almost fainting at work. It's been an ongoing issue since covid. I was told my EKG was "not normal, but normal for me compared to prior readings" and was told to follow up with a cardiologist to get a Zio patch. I don't have insurance so that's postponed. However, I was cleared saying nothing is life threatening. Not sure what to make of that.

Question 2:
Gerd. I have esophageal spasms and regurgitation. My last spasm has been at least 6 months but I do have frequently regurgitation after large meals or if I eat on a empty stomach. It comes up quite easy and never hurts. I had an endoscope and was cleared as well saying everything looked normal. I was prescribed Omeprazole and haven't been taking it until this past week. Again, hoping to get some consistency before my cert. I don't believe it's consistent enough to cause issues but am unsure of this most.

My open water dives are at a quarry that has a max depth of about 40-50 ft. I am just looking to make it through this certification. My doctor explained that he himself is unfamiliar with diving and therefore cleared me allowing me to decide. I don't have insurance to see a specialist in the matter currently. I am looking for just general information and opinions in the matter. I am completely new to diving and never realized how much went into it prior. I want this so badly for myself but also understand the risk factors.

*** I know this is long. So sorry! Any help though would be greatly appreciated!

You need to forget diving and focus on your health and reaching a healthy BMI which in turn will likely cure all of your other health ailments.

Then revist if diving is something you want to pursue.

Most scuba related deaths are a result of health related issues. Scuba diving can at times be physically demanding, especially in an emergency or even the false perception of an emergency.

 

[Germie]

You need to forget diving and focus on your health and reaching a healthy BMI which in turn will likely cure all of your other health ailments.

Then revist if diving is something you want to pursue.

Most scuba related deaths are a result of health related issues. Scuba diving can at times be physically demanding, especially in an emergency or even the false perception of an emergency.

First, what is a healthy bmi? There is no single healthy bmi. The bmi <=25 is healthy is developed for the western white man with a length of 1.80m. This means that if you are a woman it is already different. I am a woman of 1.82, so longer than average. I have never had a bmi <=25, as if I have this, I am really really ill. But I am fit, I do running and train now for a half marathon. I dive, I ride my horse, I do swimming.
So this means there is no easy answer to 'healthy bmi' and a lot of people only know the <=25 is 'healthy'. But also sumowrestlers with bmi's over 40 are healthy. Muscles are heavier than fat.

But I agree that maybe loosing some weight if you are further not active is not bad. Or at least do other sports. If you already do, then it's fine.
Remember, diving is not only the relaxing time under water, it is also kitting up in the heath and sun, and walk with heavy gear to the water or to a boat. Drinking too less in warm climates can cause a lot of problems and with diving you'll lose more moisture from your body than in normal situations.

Here a normal bloodpressure is seen as <=140/90. But if you visit a doctor you can have 'white coat stress', this means it is higher than normal at home. If you don't know regularly what your bloodpressure is, a home tool to measure it is acurate and costs here only 15-20 euro.
I know there are divers with higher blood pressures and got cleared by a doctor to dive. But the when and how is something I don't know and only the doctor who cleared knows.

In my country everybody needs to have a healthinsurance by law. So taking a diving course in the country means you are insuranced. The instructor can have a DAN insurance for students and then for real diving issues you get for free an extra secundair insurance (that only pay if the normal insurance won't pay). For abroad you need to have a travel insurance here and that is voluntary. Healthissues are always insuranced till national price levels, but some countries are more expensive.
If the instructor can offer you a free insurance during the course, that is nice. But remember that this is for diving issues. And then it starts with the question: 'What is an diving issue?'. Almost every diver got a 'diving accident' in the first 2 years of diving. Or falling with a cylinder on your back, or hitting a toe to laying dive equipment, or let fall a piece of weight on a foot. A real diving problem that ends in DCS is quite rare. Is a broken toe because of hitting something when you had heavy equipment on insuranced then? I would think about such things also. New divers are not only 'clumsy' under water, but a lot also above water as they are not used to a heavy tank on their back or slippery grounds.

I think with your questions you can better ask a doctor. If you don't have an insurance this consult will cost some money, but then you know if you want to take or have to take risks for other health issues or not. And you know if diving is a good idea or not. At the end it is your decision to go diving. But sometimes it is hard to take a course if you cannot fill in the 'no no no list' with all a no, or don't have a cleared sign from a doctor. If someone would come to me with such questions, I would say discuss it with your doctor and then we know if diving is a good idea.

 

[CuzzA]

First, what is a healthy bmi?

It's not 240 at 5'5".

Most agree that BMI charts aren't perfect. And we've seen adaptations of this. For example this calculator suggests weight in pounds between 111 and 167 with the average being 137.

Ideal weight for 5 feet 5 inches

Compute your ideal weight or health weight for a woman 5 feet 5 inches tall based on recent BMI calculations and other methods like formula of Devine and formula of Lorentz.

bmicalc.co

Your sumo wrestler example is not a good one. A better example would be something that has been studied using a far greater data pool. NFL lineman.

In 1994 the CDC studied this and found that NFL lineman have over a 50% increase of dying from cardiovascular issues than average people due to the unnatural excessive weight they carry to win in the trenches. Many will immediately attempt to cut that weight when they retire.

I hate that the op my be offended, but she shared that information and there's only one answer I can conclude. She needs to lose the excess weight. With a healthy diet, fasting and exercise she can reach that goal very quickly, and consequently will feel better, live longer and significantly reduce the risk of an incident while participating in physical activities, like scuba diving.

Cold, hard, truth. No reputable doctor would argue otherwise, but some may be afraid of offending their patient and instead look to treat the obesity with medications rather than actually help to cure it once and for all.

 

[waxrash]

***** I am new to ScubaBoard and am not sure if this is the correct place to post. I am just trying to gather information from well trained divers looking to help a new diver! Thanks in advance! ****


Hello all! I'm getting my scuba license in a month from now and had a bunch of questions related to health and diving!

26 yo Female 240 lbs 5'5

****Just to preface, this is a life long bucket list thing of mine to do since I was a child. I do not think I will be actually diving any time soon or ever for that matter. The certification in purely out of personal interest and knowledge / curiousity. That may change but as for now, this post is in regards solely to my cert. Thanks!

Question 1:
I saw you should not dive with high blood pressure. I currently am NOT taking medications for high blood pressure but tend to have an elevated BP when at the Drs office or checking via Walmart BP kiosk. They say it's not high enough to be an issue currently. But how does that transfer in the realm of diving. I took my BP earlier this week and got a normal reading of 114 / 80. However, yesterday it was 130 / 86. It fluctuates quite often. I have been working hard to lose weight and am down almost 20 lbs already for my cert and hoping the weight loss would have helped to lower it.


****** For background: I was in the ER months ago for almost fainting at work. It's been an ongoing issue since covid. I was told my EKG was "not normal, but normal for me compared to prior readings" and was told to follow up with a cardiologist to get a Zio patch. I don't have insurance so that's postponed. However, I was cleared saying nothing is life threatening. Not sure what to make of that.

Question 2:
Gerd. I have esophageal spasms and regurgitation. My last spasm has been at least 6 months but I do have frequently regurgitation after large meals or if I eat on a empty stomach. It comes up quite easy and never hurts. I had an endoscope and was cleared as well saying everything looked normal. I was prescribed Omeprazole and haven't been taking it until this past week. Again, hoping to get some consistency before my cert. I don't believe it's consistent enough to cause issues but am unsure of this most.

My open water dives are at a quarry that has a max depth of about 40-50 ft. I am just looking to make it through this certification. My doctor explained that he himself is unfamiliar with diving and therefore cleared me allowing me to decide. I don't have insurance to see a specialist in the matter currently. I am looking for just general information and opinions in the matter. I am completely new to diving and never realized how much went into it prior. I want this so badly for myself but also understand the risk factors.

*** I know this is long. So sorry! Any help though would be greatly appreciated!

Please do not confuse advice from the internet with that from a professional. I would first have this conversation with your doctor. Did they sign your medical form? Second, call DAN. Divers Alert Network. In general, anything that interrupts consciousness or breathing pathways is a problem.

 

[duke dive medicine]

***** I am new to ScubaBoard and am not sure if this is the correct place to post. I am just trying to gather information from well trained divers looking to help a new diver! Thanks in advance! ****


Hello all! I'm getting my scuba license in a month from now and had a bunch of questions related to health and diving!

26 yo Female 240 lbs 5'5

****Just to preface, this is a life long bucket list thing of mine to do since I was a child. I do not think I will be actually diving any time soon or ever for that matter. The certification in purely out of personal interest and knowledge / curiousity. That may change but as for now, this post is in regards solely to my cert. Thanks!

Question 1:
I saw you should not dive with high blood pressure. I currently am NOT taking medications for high blood pressure but tend to have an elevated BP when at the Drs office or checking via Walmart BP kiosk. They say it's not high enough to be an issue currently. But how does that transfer in the realm of diving. I took my BP earlier this week and got a normal reading of 114 / 80. However, yesterday it was 130 / 86. It fluctuates quite often. I have been working hard to lose weight and am down almost 20 lbs already for my cert and hoping the weight loss would have helped to lower it.


****** For background: I was in the ER months ago for almost fainting at work. It's been an ongoing issue since covid. I was told my EKG was "not normal, but normal for me compared to prior readings" and was told to follow up with a cardiologist to get a Zio patch. I don't have insurance so that's postponed. However, I was cleared saying nothing is life threatening. Not sure what to make of that.

Question 2:
Gerd. I have esophageal spasms and regurgitation. My last spasm has been at least 6 months but I do have frequently regurgitation after large meals or if I eat on a empty stomach. It comes up quite easy and never hurts. I had an endoscope and was cleared as well saying everything looked normal. I was prescribed Omeprazole and haven't been taking it until this past week. Again, hoping to get some consistency before my cert. I don't believe it's consistent enough to cause issues but am unsure of this most.

My open water dives are at a quarry that has a max depth of about 40-50 ft. I am just looking to make it through this certification. My doctor explained that he himself is unfamiliar with diving and therefore cleared me allowing me to decide. I don't have insurance to see a specialist in the matter currently. I am looking for just general information and opinions in the matter. I am completely new to diving and never realized how much went into it prior. I want this so badly for myself but also understand the risk factors.

*** I know this is long. So sorry! Any help though would be greatly appreciated!

The things that jump out at me here are (a) the abnormal ECG with a recommendation for continuous cardiac monitoring (which hasn't been done) in the setting of syncope (fainting), and (b) the severe GERD, which could be aggravated under water because of the pressure differential between your stomach and your esophagus in certain positions. I strongly advise that you not dive until you can be seen by a diving medical specialist. If this is not feasible for you, the physician who cleared you to dive is welcome to call our office for a phone consult. I will DM you the number.

The weight loss journey is a long and difficult one and it sounds like you're off to a great start. As other posters have suggested, achieving a healthy weight will improve your overall well-being and may well clear up the medical issues you're having.

Best regards,
DDM

 

[FreqFlier]

Just to preface, this is a life long bucket list thing of mine to do since I was a child. I do not think I will be actually diving any time soon or ever for that matter. The certification in purely out of personal interest and knowledge / curiousity. That may change but as for now, this post is in regards solely to my cert.

Why do the cert? How's about Discover Diving or similar?