nicorette gum

[sealkie]

A student asked my today after my dive table DCS lecture if chewing nicorrette gum would have any effect on him after diving

Not knowing agreat deal about Nicorrette I had no idea .. I seem to recall someone telling me that it made their heart race

Any known issues ?

 

[Arnaud]

Not a doc, but nicorette contains nicotine which I believe can have the same effect as caffeine. On top of it, in a withdrawal state (usually the ones known to those who use nicorette), your heart tends to beat faster than normal.

But nicorette won't make you produce CO (since you're not smoking).

 

[Dr Deco]

Dear SCUBA SOURCE Readers:

I am not aware of any DCS problem from Nicorette gum that would be any different from smoking cigarettes following a dive.

To my knowledge, there are also no adverse effects on DCS from smoking during the dive itself.

Dr Deco :doctor:

 

[DocVikingo]

As this inquiry appears more related to diving medicine than "the scientific aspects of decompression," the focus of Ask Dr. Decompression, I have taken the liberty of moving it here in the hope it will generate more responses.

To the best of my knowledge, there has been no study of nicotine gum & scuba. However, those with a history of heart or circulation problems, such as an irregular heartbeat, chest pain, heart attack or high blood pressure, or of stomach ulcers, overactive thyroid or diabetes, should not use it whether topside or u/w.

Side effects of such nicotine replacement usually are mild to nonexistent at recommended doses. Symptoms such as racing heart (and abdominal pain/nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, visual/hearing abnormality, significant headache, flushing or confusion) generally only occur in very sensitive individuals or in those who are taking too much.

Obviously these could have implications for safe scuba, e.g., racing heart contributing to diver panic, visual/hearing abnormality, headache & confusion being confused with DCI.

The student should carefully monitor his or her use of the gum and reduce intake if signs/symptoms of overdose are evident.

Best regards.

DocVikingo

 

[sealkie]

thanks all

I figured there wouldn`t be a problem - but as I was asked I thought it best to check the collective wisdoms !