PADI allows certification of asthmatics after physician approval.
Surviving an asthma attack
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Most recently as reply #11 in this thread on asthma & diving of just 2 months ago. It makes it quite clear that asthma is no longer an absolute contraindication to scuba--->
"Can I Dive With Asthma?"
http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=47619&page=2&pp=10&highlight=asthma
Best regards.
DocVikingo
"Can I Dive With Asthma?"
http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=47619&page=2&pp=10&highlight=asthma
Best regards.
DocVikingo
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Quote: "Well ... that's why "reasonable" would depend on the particular diver's experience with diving AND their experience with asthma. I believe the term (that many people seem to have forgotten) is "PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY". There are certainly some people with asthma that have no business diving. But there are others who's "attacks" are mild enough and their personal ability to remain calm and deal with it would allow them to dive. What is reasonable would be a personal decision."
This really does not provide a response to my inquiry, which asked that given the possibility of pulmonary barotrauma or AGE in as little as 4' of water how does the diver with asthma determine what are "reasonable depths"?
In any event, your new definition of "reasonable" leads me to ask, "How does the diver with asthma actually gain experience with diving so that s/he has some idea about their personal level of risk?"
Best regards.
DocVikingo
This really does not provide a response to my inquiry, which asked that given the possibility of pulmonary barotrauma or AGE in as little as 4' of water how does the diver with asthma determine what are "reasonable depths"?
In any event, your new definition of "reasonable" leads me to ask, "How does the diver with asthma actually gain experience with diving so that s/he has some idea about their personal level of risk?"
Best regards.
DocVikingo
Dear DocVikingo,
I guess reasonable depths are based on skill levels and comfort zones. Give that 4' of water is all that is needed for AGE the issue is really a perceived feeling of being "safe". After all everyone with asthma will diver deeper than that.
Depth is not then the issue. Could it be how to surface safely??
My orginal post asked if ashtma reduced the airways by 50%...could you surface 50% slower to alow adequate venting of compressed gas to avoid barotrauma?
Thanks,
SimonC
I guess reasonable depths are based on skill levels and comfort zones. Give that 4' of water is all that is needed for AGE the issue is really a perceived feeling of being "safe". After all everyone with asthma will diver deeper than that.
Depth is not then the issue. Could it be how to surface safely??
My orginal post asked if ashtma reduced the airways by 50%...could you surface 50% slower to alow adequate venting of compressed gas to avoid barotrauma?
Thanks,
SimonC
IslandHopper
Guest
I think what doc is getting at is that if a person were to suffer a moderate to severe attack underwater, then it is almost guaranteed that surfacing (or even just ascending some) at that time will result in some (possibly a lot) of lung damage.
My point (which was made poorly, I guess) is that if the diver feels that is an acceptable risk, then why should the rest of the world tell him he can't dive ???
If a car hits a wall at 180mph, odds are that the driver will suffer some damage. So should NASCAR tell race teams that they can't use drivers who are not immortal ???
My point (which was made poorly, I guess) is that if the diver feels that is an acceptable risk, then why should the rest of the world tell him he can't dive ???
If a car hits a wall at 180mph, odds are that the driver will suffer some damage. So should NASCAR tell race teams that they can't use drivers who are not immortal ???
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As regards, "... if ashtma reduced the airways by 50%...could you surface 50% slower to alow adequate venting of compressed gas to avoid barotrauma?," I'm not sure that any such strategy could be based on a simple linear relationship. And, even if it could, how would the diver determine the percentage reduction for any particular attack?
Given less than complete air trapping, a slow enough ascent well may allow for benign venting. However, issues to be addressed would include just how many feet per minute might that be, would the diver have sufficient control to maintain a possibly glacial ascent while experiencing an attack, how about adequate gas supply, thermal protection & buddy suport, and a host of others.
I do appreciate Island Hopper's point about acceptance of risk & personal responsibility, although it is somewhat more involved than that as the welfare of the asthmatic diver's buddy, others in the dive group, his family & loved ones, and the dive op must be considered as well.
Admittedly it's a complicated matter, but it starts with medical clearance to dive, a full understanding of the disease & its potential implications for scuba, and a careful consideration of the risk involved to the diver & to others who could be adversely impacted.
This is educational only and does not constitute or imply a doctor-patient relationship. It is not medical advice to you or any other individual and should not be construed as such.
Best regards.
DocVikingo
Given less than complete air trapping, a slow enough ascent well may allow for benign venting. However, issues to be addressed would include just how many feet per minute might that be, would the diver have sufficient control to maintain a possibly glacial ascent while experiencing an attack, how about adequate gas supply, thermal protection & buddy suport, and a host of others.
I do appreciate Island Hopper's point about acceptance of risk & personal responsibility, although it is somewhat more involved than that as the welfare of the asthmatic diver's buddy, others in the dive group, his family & loved ones, and the dive op must be considered as well.
Admittedly it's a complicated matter, but it starts with medical clearance to dive, a full understanding of the disease & its potential implications for scuba, and a careful consideration of the risk involved to the diver & to others who could be adversely impacted.
This is educational only and does not constitute or imply a doctor-patient relationship. It is not medical advice to you or any other individual and should not be construed as such.
Best regards.
DocVikingo
Just out of interest does the increased PPO2 reduce the risk of an Asthma attack in the first place?
CuriousMe
Guest
O2Addict:
Hi there,
I was just curious as to what the relationship between increased PPO2 and an attack would be?
From my understanding, if your (twitchy) lungs are exposed to a trigger, there will be an attack/flare up.
I have heard that there's increased risk of an OxTox hit if a diver's on inhaled steroids. What causes this?
Peace,
Cathie
gerardnealon
Contributor
Wow, I cant believe that some of you think people with asthma should not dive. I was born with asthma and have been diving for the past 14 years. Does anyone here actually have asthma and know what it is like to have an asthma attack. If not I will try to explain. At its worst state your broncial tubes could completly close, but regular attacks do not just come on like a ton of bricks. You feel a gradual breathing resistance which can be handled underwater before any serious resistance begins. When I am having an attack I tend to breath more because I am not getting as much oxygen to my lungs. As long as you dont spit your reg out from coughing, and you have enough air i dont see this as a problem either.
Secondly most asthma attacks are caused by allergy to dogs, cigarette smoke, weeds, dust, things that dont exist underwater. The thing you have to be careful with is over exercion underwater cause that can lead to an attack. When you goto the hospital for an asthma attack they give you 100 percent oxygen, if you are diving with nitrox at least you are a little ahead of the game. ;-)
Hope this helps. I plan on diving until im too old to hold a tank ;-)
Gerard
Secondly most asthma attacks are caused by allergy to dogs, cigarette smoke, weeds, dust, things that dont exist underwater. The thing you have to be careful with is over exercion underwater cause that can lead to an attack. When you goto the hospital for an asthma attack they give you 100 percent oxygen, if you are diving with nitrox at least you are a little ahead of the game. ;-)
Hope this helps. I plan on diving until im too old to hold a tank ;-)
Gerard
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Asthma is at base a chronic inflammation of the respiratory tract. Attacks can be triggered by a variety of situations including stress, cold or exercise, or allergens such as pollen and certain foods and medications. The body reacts to these triggers by constriction of smooth muscle in the bronchi and bronchioles, inflammation of the airway and increased mucous production.
The alterations in ppO2 inherent in scuba neither increase nor reduce the risks of an asthma attack. As an aside, 02 is considered a first-line treatment in patients with acute severe asthma.
This is educational only and does not constitute or imply a doctor-patient relationship. It is not medical advice to you or any other individual and should not be construed as such.
Best regards.
DocVikingo
The alterations in ppO2 inherent in scuba neither increase nor reduce the risks of an asthma attack. As an aside, 02 is considered a first-line treatment in patients with acute severe asthma.
This is educational only and does not constitute or imply a doctor-patient relationship. It is not medical advice to you or any other individual and should not be construed as such.
Best regards.
DocVikingo
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