Diving and Blood Disorders

[csrempert]

Does anyone know if diving without a spleen or with certain types of anemia such as spherocytosis is dangerous or can put a diver at a larger risk of diving injuries?

 

[Gene_Hobbs]

http://scuba-doc.com/hbocont.htm -

In congenital spherocytosis, RBCs are fragile, and high O2 partial pressures may cause severe hemolysis. It is felt by most that on the strength of a theoretical risk of hemolysis should the diver actually require HBOT spherocytosis probably does not constitute a ban to starting diving--providing the patient is not anemic.

Most anesthesiologists do not take any especial measures when anesthetising such patients. Eric Kindwall states that sperocytosis does not prevent such a patient receiving HBOT (non-diving) but should alert the operator to the possibility of haemolysis.

It is also listed as a contraindication by Bove In: MEDICAL EXAMINATION OF SPORT SCUBA DIVERS, 3rd Edition, A.A. Bove, MD, PhD (ed.). Best Publishing.

The only paper (case reports) on congenital spherocytosis I am aware of in the diving literature is from the treatment of patients with Hyperbaric Oxygen.

Wirjosemito SA and Touhey JE. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and Hereditary Spherocytosis: Report of 2 Cases. J. Hyperbaric Med 1988; 3(1):45-50. http://archive.rubicon-foundation.org/4364

Hope this helps!

 

[ronbeau]

Does anyone know if diving without a spleen or with certain types of anemia such as spherocytosis is dangerous or can put a diver at a larger risk of diving injuries?

In addition to any responses you receive here you might want to call the Diver's Alert Network (DAN). They will answer you question even if you are not a member.

If it is questionable whether you can dive or not they will direct you to a medical professional in your local area.

Non-Emergency Medical Questions

1-800-446-2671 or 1-919-684-2948, Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm (ET)

This information is located at the following URL

http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/contact/index.asp

 

[the register]

Hey, was wondering if you got any updated information on this. I am planning on starting scuba classes and also have spherocytosis (and am spleenless as of last Feb), so whatever you found would definitely be interesting to hear.

I called up DAN today and they referred me to some physicians, but said I could just have mine call them up and talk to them. I'm hopefully going to do that soon.

 

[Hiszpan]

I started diving in 1997 and only recently found out spherocytosis and lack of spleen could be a thing in scuba diving (both conditions applicable to me.)

I have done Nitrox, O2 decompression dives, and I am an avid cave diver (well, when parenthood permits time-wise) and never had any problem. However, I am always extremely tired after diving, regarding if recreational or decompression one, single or doubles with stages, wetsuit or drysuit, ocean, lake or cave. I do think it is the inherent nature of my conditions to be so.
My BSAC doctor always gives me a clean medical pass every year without any notices or conditions. He is also a hyperbaric chamber doctor here so I would have thought he would be quite of an expert in this field.

Happy to answer any other questions if anyone PMs me.