Asthmatic + Diving = Death?

[ReeferBen]

FWIW I have asthma and have been diving about 10 years. I have daily asthma. For me, my asthma comes on slow. If I can't get to an inhaler it often resolves it self in a matter of time. I never get to the point of not being able to breath. For me it's tightness in the chest, but not loud weezing. Since advair I have less issues all together. If I was doing a long dive, that required deco, I know with my asthma if it came on, I could let it pass with out issue. FWIW I have had several dives where o started getting asthma on the surface before a dive, yet knew once I was down it would be gone. For me the dry scuba air helps my asthma for some reason. The other week I had someone smoking at the entry and the second hand smoke was irriating my asthma, as soon as I got down and away from the smoke I was good.

That's not the case for everyone, but with my asthma diving is a non issue. It's a shame any agency would outright eliminate asthmatics from diving all together, since there are so many levels people can have it. Also the level of an attack can vary greatly. Some "attacks" an inhaler puff and they are gone, others gone on there own, while some can hospitalize an asthamtic. So generalizations like no attack in several months can be misleading. I have daily asthma, but never the type that requires immediate inhalir puffs, if I can't get to my inhalor the asthma goes away. Obviously if your asthma is hospitalizing you regularly, or if you are the type that needs an inhalor immediatly, diving is out. Of course a doctor review should always be sought out.

 

[TrooperLauren]

Thank you all for the info and links to other threads, I'll go read them now.

My asthma is both allergy-induced and exercise-induced, but I know my limits. I'll be sure to discuss it with an instructor before diving.

 

[The Chairman]

If you decide to go for training, please get the proper medical waivers BEFORE you head to the dive shop to sign up. Be candid and don't mislead them and realize that they have the final say in assuming any risk associated with teaching you to dive. Too often, people hedge the medical questionnaire in order to get their way and they don't realize that without that information, the instructor might accidentally put them into danger.

 

[ReeferBen]

If you decide to go for training, please get the proper medical waivers BEFORE you head to the dive shop to sign up.

You may want to at least stop in and get the medical form from the dive shop. Mine has to have a doctor sign off. This way if your doctor says to go for it you can get the form signed on the same visit, instead of having to go back in to get the form signed. If not then you can toss the slip.

 

[rk288]

Find a doctor who is a diver (DAN can help there or ask at your LDS who the instructors see) get evaluated and signed off...repeat evaluation routinely as with any known condition or disease state. Be safe.

 

[nomro]

Hey . I'm a recreational diver (AOW) and I'm diagnosed with mild asthmatic symptoms , but I still can dive. I'm NOT a doctor and I believe you have to consult one but I can tell you by experience that in some mild cases you can dive efficiently as any other divers. It all depends on the severity of your case and how well you know yourself, your limits and what triggers the attack.I usually take a medicine for the asthma on the day I'm diving just as a precaution.Bottom line consult your doctor, if he says its ok, then you can go diving as I'm sure you know your limits. I hope this helps you .

 

[CuNanoTube]

I have asthma and was certified bu NAUI. It is very mind though, I only need to take my meds once a week or so. Considering I can play a whole football game without even feeling an incing of a symptom, diving is not an issue.

 

[Fish-R-Man]

My wife is asthmatic and uses Advair on a daily basis. She has also been diving now for about 8 years without any problems. I know that she had more attacks before she started using the Advair. She does carry a rescue inhaler with her in case of problems. The dry air she breathes when diving also seems to help her prevent any symptoms.

 

[kasdeva]

An interesting opinion by Edmond Kay, M.D. a Board Certified Diving Physician who is famous for his lecture on the divers ear.

Are Asthmatics Fit to Dive?

 

[Amphiprion]

Go see a doctor. Mine signed off because I have allergy induced asthma. Exercise induced asthma or asthma from water inhalation is a different beast.

As long as the air intake on the compressor isn't connected to a room full of pollen encrusted cats I'm good to go.