Question for divers w/ asthma

[rotorboy]

For those who have asthma….do you feel any discomfort while diving?? I'm a little concerned about that. It's the only thing that’s been holding me back all this time from diving. I went and got cleared by my doctor. He went ahead and prescribed me a small dose inhaler to take 30 minutes prior a dive. I haven't had an attack in over a year and I know what triggers it (cats and cold weather) but there's still some concern. I'd just like to hear from some fellow divers who have asthma on their experiences. I start certification Saturday…the closer it gets… the more excited and nervous I'm getting! Thanks!

 

[Gator Diver]

For any medical concerns I would also check with DAN
as some physicians may not be aware of all the possible
problems with a certain medical condition and scuba diving.

 

[spectrum]

For those who have asthma….do you feel any discomfort while diving?? I'm a little concerned about that. It's the only thing that’s been holding me back all this time from diving. I went and got cleared by my doctor. He went ahead and prescribed me a small dose inhaler to take 30 minutes prior a dive. I haven't had an attack in over a year and I know what triggers it (cats and cold weather) but there's still some concern. I'd just like to hear from some fellow divers who have asthma on their experiences. I start certification Saturday…the closer it gets… the more excited and nervous I'm getting! Thanks!

Is your doctor dive savy? If not get a second opinion from DAN.

Cold induced asthma is often a concern point from what I have read. Now being in Florida this may be less of an issue than here in Maine. Nonetheless your air will be somewhat cooled by the regulation process.

My wife uses an inhaler pre-dive per her doctor. Her sesitivity is dust/alergens and stuff like that. He sees dive time as a respite from dirty air!

Relax and have fun, that not nerves, it's pure excitement. And once certified it's euphoria.

Pete

 

[Rescuediver17063]

I would get a second opinion from DAN. I have had many students who had a doctors clearence, but when the additional stress of having to breath underwater came into play, they started to have difficulty breathing in the pool, let alone what could have happened in the open water. It may not be a problem, but give them a call to see what they think. I would just hate to see you out money for a class you could possibly never complete, let alone I would not like to see anyone hurt needlessly.

 

[justleesa]

I have asthma and have the same problems as you. Cats and cold (real winter weather) make breathing harder, but with an inhaler (and a Diving Docs ok) I'm good.
I have no asthma related problems when I dive. But that is me. So the only way you'll really know is if you try.

 

[TSandM]

I have mild asthma, usually only symptomatic after an upper respiratory infection, and I have had no breathing-related problems with diving.

 

[cuddlefish]

Many doctors are not aware of the implications that diving with asthma may have. I know at least one very experienced diver with asthma who does a couple of hundred dives a year with no problems. But I know of two times he has had problems and they could have resulted in a serious injury. DAN has lots of info. I have known quite a few divers who got approval from their doctors to dive if they stayed shallow (40 feet deep or so)...this just proves to me that those doctors may not have known what they were talking about! Call DAN.

 

[craborn]

I agree with what everyone is saying about talking to a doctor and DAN. I have severe asthma and I dive several hundred dives a year. My asthma is BETTER when I am underwater. I was worried about it when i started years ago. I also have an inhaler that i keep with me just in case. Enjoy diving. CLay

 

[rotorboy]

Thanks for the great advice!!! I went ahead and contacted DAN. Their reply was a positive one which put my mind at ease. They didn't see anything wrong with the prescriptions I was given as well as letting me know that an active person such as myself shouldn't have any problems concerning asthma while diving. They were really helpful and even gave me a referral for a local doctor here in Orlando if I still had any worries. Thanks again….it wasn't until your replies that I found out about a site such as DAN. Tomorrow is the day and I'm really looking forward to it!!!