freewillie
Contributor
Life is what I refer to as risk stratification. We are trying to take activities with a certain risk and try to lessen their individual risks. The real question is what is your tolerance for risk for any given activity?
Several people have mentioned driving. We all know that driving can result in bodily injury and death. That aspect of driving actually terrifies me and is all too apparent as my 15 yo daughter is starting her driver's education training this month. But I can't wrap her in bubble wrap and prevent her from going out and living her life. From my daughter's perspective she is correct in assuming I myself can be maimed or killed every time I drive. It is only an illusion that my own safe driving habits will keep me safe. They only keep me safe from myself but do not protect me from any other individual on the road from hitting me.
As for the health aspect, see your doctor. I would recommend a fasting lipid profile and a coronary calcium score to assess your risk of heart disease. Use of medications like aspirin and Lipitor is the best you can do to minimize your risk. You are correct in assuming that if you have a heart attack under water your odds of surviving are almost zero, but, if you have symptoms and surface your odds are better. In addition to cardiac screening and medications if appropriate regular diet and exercise with a healthy lifestyle is highly recommended whether you dive or not.
That being said, I absolutely refuse to ride a bicycle. As a doctor I see the effects of when rider meets car or when rider meets ground. As the only income earner in the family (my wife is a stay at home wife) I am unwilling to accept the financial fall out of becoming either temporarily disabled or worse permanently disabled. Although I've had desires to bike for exercise and even participate in triathlons I am just too freaked out by the possibility of an accident to get on a bike.
I enjoy diving too much to give it up at this point. Probably no different in risk than riding a bike but for me that's my own unique perspective. I'm going to keep diving (with my daughter to boot) and not ride but that is my own choice. I do hope to see you underwater too though.
Several people have mentioned driving. We all know that driving can result in bodily injury and death. That aspect of driving actually terrifies me and is all too apparent as my 15 yo daughter is starting her driver's education training this month. But I can't wrap her in bubble wrap and prevent her from going out and living her life. From my daughter's perspective she is correct in assuming I myself can be maimed or killed every time I drive. It is only an illusion that my own safe driving habits will keep me safe. They only keep me safe from myself but do not protect me from any other individual on the road from hitting me.
As for the health aspect, see your doctor. I would recommend a fasting lipid profile and a coronary calcium score to assess your risk of heart disease. Use of medications like aspirin and Lipitor is the best you can do to minimize your risk. You are correct in assuming that if you have a heart attack under water your odds of surviving are almost zero, but, if you have symptoms and surface your odds are better. In addition to cardiac screening and medications if appropriate regular diet and exercise with a healthy lifestyle is highly recommended whether you dive or not.
That being said, I absolutely refuse to ride a bicycle. As a doctor I see the effects of when rider meets car or when rider meets ground. As the only income earner in the family (my wife is a stay at home wife) I am unwilling to accept the financial fall out of becoming either temporarily disabled or worse permanently disabled. Although I've had desires to bike for exercise and even participate in triathlons I am just too freaked out by the possibility of an accident to get on a bike.
I enjoy diving too much to give it up at this point. Probably no different in risk than riding a bike but for me that's my own unique perspective. I'm going to keep diving (with my daughter to boot) and not ride but that is my own choice. I do hope to see you underwater too though.