OK, who smokes?

[Rick Inman]

...I called my friendly doctor, a guy who was also alcoholic and a fellow drinker and bowler.

Did he ever kick the bowling?

 

[Schizlor]

I quit smoking in Sept 08 after smoking a pack a day for 10 years, using a combination of the patch step-down program and supplementing with gum. I still got cravings every now and then on the patch, and even though it clearly states do not mix the patch with other nicotine replacement therapies, I figured doubling up was better than cracking and having a cigarette. I slipped up 3 times since then, twice at Redskins games, and once at my going away party about 2 months ago. All 3 times I was highly intoxicated. Each was a few months apart too (no relapse) Ingesting alcohol REALLY makes the cravings come back, and coupled with the reduced inhibitions, can be a dangerous mix for someone trying to stay off nicotine. I try not to get too drunk anymore for that reason.

I have not been diving since last year (when I was smoking on the boat during surface intervals) so I cannot attest to how it affected my diving yet, but I can tell you you will feel a LOT better, be able to wake up earlier (and not stay up so late) and the cravings really go away after 2-3 months.

P.S. I'd be very careful if you are considering Chanitx. I got it in Aug 08 when I initially tried to quit because it was free with my companies insurance program. It has had some very abnormal psychological side effects for many patients, myself included. It completely eliminated my desire to smoke, but it put me in a very wierd mood. It was disturbing at times (I almost broke up with my GF because of my behavior) There was a story of a musician Carter AlbrechtCarter Albrecht - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia who was killed after trying to break into his GF's neighbors house after a night of drinking. His GF attributed the behavior to his taking Chantix. I know others who've used it successfully, but for me there was a significant change in mood that was unacceptable. Be wary if you are considering it.

 

[HateCheese]

To the original poster - Paleface and your question: I dive and I smoke.

Almost half of the people I dive with smoke. Some more, some less. Some are new divers, some have been diving for decades. 99% gulf of mexico diving, and 80% over 100ft as a swag.

Can only guess, but since you are newly certified I expect you heard the 'scary' dont dive and smoke stuff. Smoking is 'a' risk in a sport that has 'many' risks. You get to make your own risk assessments.

Most people who posted at least said something positive - although it was way off target - i used product XYZ to quit, it was hard/easy for me to quit, etc etc etc.

To those that have and will post - quit now / it is unhealthy / something obvious about smoking / blah blah blah.... take your fast foot burger eatin, mongo sized french fry guzzlin, overweight, out of shape, tv watchin, 50 screaming kids blocking the aisle, talkin on your cell phone while drivin, ever heard of a turn signal?, couch potatoin butt and go back to read the original post and question. It only takes one click. You can do it. I'll give you some bon bons and chilli cheese fries if you do...

 

[Anti-Hero]

To the original poster - Paleface and your question: I dive and I smoke.

Almost half of the people I dive with smoke. Some more, some less. Some are new divers, some have been diving for decades. 99% gulf of mexico diving, and 80% over 100ft as a swag.

Can only guess, but since you are newly certified I expect you heard the 'scary' dont dive and smoke stuff. Smoking is 'a' risk in a sport that has 'many' risks. You get to make your own risk assessments.

Most people who posted at least said something positive - although it was way off target - i used product XYZ to quit, it was hard/easy for me to quit, etc etc etc.

To those that have and will post - quit now / it is unhealthy / something obvious about smoking / blah blah blah.... take your fast foot burger eatin, mongo sized french fry guzzlin, overweight, out of shape, tv watchin, 50 screaming kids blocking the aisle, talkin on your cell phone while drivin, ever heard of a turn signal?, couch potatoin butt and go back to read the original post and question. It only takes one click. You can do it. I'll give you some bon bons and chilli cheese fries if you do...

Smoking increases the risk, of a sport with "many" risks. It's not 'A' risk, except to your health in general. It is also linked to impotence - which for most men is far scarier than cancer and heart disease.

 

[kanonfodr]

I dive and smoke, when I'm not deployed to a place where I can only smoke because I can't dive. That being said, I know it affects me and my diving in very negative aspects and I am looking forward to quitting at the end of this deployment.

I'm not doing it just for diving, but for all the health bonuses associated with quitting this nasty habit. And believe me, I have finally realized that it is nasty. Do yourself a favor, bud; quit now. It's more money for diving later. In all manner of ways.

Peace,
Greg

 

[cudachaser]

I'm 59 and smoke less than a pack a day. I try to be courteous about my smoking...If I have a class of non-smokers, I won't smoke around them. I avoid smoking on the boat usually wait till I'm dockside.

I've been diving 44 years and my breathing rate is fantastic. Last month I dove the 'Dwayne" in 110ft on a '63...maxed out my bottom time and surfaced with 1500#

 

[irishsquid]

...trying to light up a Pall Mall with a malfunctioning Zippo...

(My emphasis added) That is a rare occurence, which by itself would have had me questioning my Karma.

Never smoke a Cohiba "El Presidente" on the back deck of a rocking boat after drinking most of a bottle of cheap red wine. Especially if you have to be off the boat by 8:00 am. Just a little rule of thumb I've developed.

It was the cheap red wine and rocking boat. Leave that exquisite roll of tobacco out of the equation.

 

[Just another Cinderella]

I don't smoke. Know a guy locally who smokes on his shore dive surface swim before descending.
People will always smoke; they kept me in business for 35 years operating on smoking related illnesses and now, that has really increased my bottom time.
If you are so inclined, quitting may add some extra days of diving.

 

[Garrobo]

irishsqud::Turned out to be no flint. Those Zippos were live savers. Although I didn't smoke much after that, I carried the lighter for years to remind me. It came up missing one day. I really hated it too. It had my name, entry date, regiment, battalion and company inscribed on it. Someone is probably still using it.

 

[DOkie]

To the original poster - Paleface and your question: I dive and I smoke.

Almost half of the people I dive with smoke. Some more, some less. Some are new divers, some have been diving for decades. 99% gulf of mexico diving, and 80% over 100ft as a swag.

Can only guess, but since you are newly certified I expect you heard the 'scary' dont dive and smoke stuff. Smoking is 'a' risk in a sport that has 'many' risks. You get to make your own risk assessments.

Most people who posted at least said something positive - although it was way off target - i used product XYZ to quit, it was hard/easy for me to quit, etc etc etc.

To those that have and will post - quit now / it is unhealthy / something obvious about smoking / blah blah blah.... take your fast foot burger eatin, mongo sized french fry guzzlin, overweight, out of shape, tv watchin, 50 screaming kids blocking the aisle, talkin on your cell phone while drivin, ever heard of a turn signal?, couch potatoin butt and go back to read the original post and question. It only takes one click. You can do it. I'll give you some bon bons and chilli cheese fries if you do...

That was my laugh of the night. Thank you! Signed - A fellow smoker...