no more diving
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I'd think that if this was the case you'd see a lot more mentioned about it, either in personal anecdotes, or published articles.
Given that an internet search reveals, well.. nothing, I'd be apt to not necessarily take that bit of advice at face value. I'm not saying to go dive wherever and as deep as you want, I'm just one to question such facts that are sometimes too easily dispensed by those in a position of authority and respect who might not really have a clue. I'm not saying your scuba specialist physician is wrong, but I wouldn't naturally assume that your deep diving is over because of some stated risk.
DiverDan1975
Registered
I am sorry to hear this. I am a physician, but not a cardiologist. I would not conclude definitively that you are done with diving. Some way, your cardiologist is going to get you rate controlled. The risky part of the exercise is going to be the blood thinners. There are going to be some options available to you that might help you get off of blood thinners such as a cardioablation or a Watchman's procedure. Ask your cardiologist, or more importantly your electrophysiologist about these options. Not everyone is a candidate. Do not hesitate to ask these questions as you are passionate about the sport, but keep in mind that there might be increased risks. Good luck.
TostitoBandito
Contributor
Not a doctor, but I'm somewhat skeptical about the statements about drug strength/concentration increasing like gas partial pressure with depth. I'd strongly encourage you to get additional opinions/explanation and/or actual literature and data on that.
Is it just these meds? Why don't divers constantly OD from all the other meds they take while diving, such as NSAIDs, decongestants, painkillers, and a myriad of other prescription medications? It just doesn't really pass the sniff test unless there is something extremely unique about this specific class of medications (like they directly interact with blood gasses in some way). A quick google on the topic yielded some drugs, especially in the field of hyperbaric chemotherapy, which either become toxic in high oxygen environments or can lower your threshold for oxygen toxicity, but I have no idea if the drugs your taking would fall into those classes.
Effect on Diving
Serious arrhythmias, such as ventricular tachycardia and many types of atrial arrhythmia, are incompatible with diving. The risk for any person who develops an arrhythmia during a dive is, of course, losing consciousness while underwater. Supraventricular tachycardia, for example, is unpredictable in its onset and may even be triggered simply by immersing one’s face in cold water. Anyone who has had more than one episode of this type of arrhythmia should not dive.Most arrhythmias that require medication also disqualify the affected individual from safe diving. Exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis in consultation with a cardiologist and a diving medical officer.
An individual who has any cardiac arrhythmia needs a complete medical evaluation by a cardiologist prior to engaging in diving. In some cases, electrophysiologic studies can identify an abnormal conduction pathway, and the problem can be corrected. Recently, clinicians and researchers have determined that people with some arrhythmias (such as certain types of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, which is characterized by an extra electrical pathyway) may safely participate in diving after a thorough evaluation by a cardiologist. Also, in select cases, people with stable atrial arrhythmias (such as uncomplicated atrial fibrillation) may dive safely if a cardiologist determines that they have no other significant health problems.
I pulled this from DAN, medicule reports and advive
TostitoBandito
Contributor
Yeah I don't think anyone is going to dispute that if you have any sort of cardiac issues you should think hard and get a thorough medical evaluation before any diving. No different than people with epilepsy or other sudden-onset medical conditions, which while not necessarily life threatening on land, they could easily cause you to drown underwater. DAN's advice is certainly valid.
The part I and some other people were confused about were the statements about the prescription medication being the reason why the OP can't dive (as opposed to the condition itself). It could very well be the case, but I've never heard of that being a thing with any common medications before.
The part I and some other people were confused about were the statements about the prescription medication being the reason why the OP can't dive (as opposed to the condition itself). It could very well be the case, but I've never heard of that being a thing with any common medications before.
A thorough medical consulation/examination will not guarantee anything 100%.
You have my utmost sympathy but you are the only person who can decide on this matter.
Scuba diving is only a recreational sport, no more or less. In few years time when I reach 75, I will say good bye to diving.
Good luck.
Done that years ago and I remember some of the dives were pretty tough.
The worst part nowadays are trying to get back to the boat without any help! I really miss those few occasions when the boat, eg. MV Empress, is equipped with a lift. The boat I had used at Scapa Flow also has this luxury.
Have fun.
I’m just now retuning from Socorros where we were required to take our gear off in the water because the ladders on the RIBs couldn’t handle the weight. Worst part of the dives, much harder than just climbing out wearing the gear. (FWIW, I thought it was harder overall than Cocos, certainly colder.)
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