HELP - just diagnosed with hernia and dive holiday booked for 4 weeks time

[John Doomernik]

My dive buddy has a really large hernia sticking out the belly button. looks freakish, but is it safe for him to dive, shallow HOOKAH diving.. maybe 15' no deeper.. He said, no worries, my wet suit is real tight down there, that should hold it, fine. I'm not sure, but if the out-testines are plugged, maybe will explode. I'm "googling" like crazy, for info about hernia/diving implications. I need that guy.

 

[Duke Dive Medicine]

My dive buddy has a really large hernia sticking out the belly button. looks freakish, but is it safe for him to dive, shallow HOOKAH diving.. maybe 15' no deeper.. He said, no worries, my wet suit is real tight down there, that should hold it, fine. I'm not sure, but if the out-testines are plugged, maybe will explode. I'm "googling" like crazy, for info about hernia/diving implications. I need that guy.

Without evaluating him in person, it would be difficult to make recommendations specific to him. The general recommendation would be to avoid diving until he is examined in person by a provider who is trained and experienced in assessing fitness to dive. The risk would be enlarging the hernia with heavy lifting, and strangulation of the bowel if there's a tight wetsuit around it. I believe that the Vancouver General Hospital hyperbaric unit has providers who can evaluate divers.

Best regards,
DDM

 

[John Doomernik]

Without evaluating him in person, it would be difficult to make recommendations specific to him. The general recommendation would be to avoid diving until he is examined in person by a provider who is trained and experienced in assessing fitness to dive. The risk would be enlarging the hernia with heavy lifting, and strangulation of the bowel if there's a tight wetsuit around it. I believe that the Vancouver General Hospital hyperbaric unit has providers who can evaluate divers.

Best regards,
DDM

Oh yes, I should tell him to make appointment at VGH. I remember last year he went to visit a hernia Surgeon, for getting an operation, but with Cvd risk in hospitals, he cancelled. Thank you

 

[Duke Dive Medicine]

Oh yes, I should tell him to make appointment at VGH. I remember last year he went to visit a hernia Surgeon, for getting an operation, but with Cvd risk in hospitals, he cancelled. Thank you

Of course! Hope everything works out for him.

Best regards,
DDM