Asthma & (CCR) Diving

Kyza

Have a look at
http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/me...p?articleid=22

Crazyduck

Toren,
Are you talking about an epi-pin injector ?

Never had to play with one of those...

I usually dive in a wetsuit or drysuit- so punching it into my leg would be rather difficult.

As long as there is no box jellies- I am not too worried.

Andrew

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Dutchy

I have been diagnosed with asthma long ago and had no problems during diving whatsoever.
Why?
Partionally I guess because it isn't of the excertion induced type, but secondly and this is why I decided to post because I have been assigned a strategy by the Medical Specialist that first signed of my medical examination.

The advice itself may not be relevant for you butl the reasoning behind it might though.

I was asked to use medication just prior to a dive although at the time I didn't use any on a daily basis. I was asked to do so as I'm allergic to pollens and a few things more and although the air in your tank is clean I might be subjected to a delayed effect of having inhaled pollens just PRIOR to a dive which without medication might result in "problems".

Hence I got the advice to use my Ventolin (Salbutamol) just prior to diving. Although the advice may not transferrable to anyone else the consideration that you might experience effects from anything inhaled prior to a dive is a general one.

My 2 (euro) cents

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Damon

Well as a Brisbane, Australia company has just released an Asthma Snorkel, and the Asthma Regulator is next.......why not an asthma xCR???? http://medidive.delvtech.com/

Dutchy

Those inhalers were no designed to withstand the (negative) pressure (negative as opposed to how they were designed)
so at best it gets only flatter...

But bringing the snurkle down to 40m only to find it not spraying or worse filled with sea water isn't something I'd like to experience myself....

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scubageek

There is actually some new information that suggests that breathing a mist of salt water may be helpful to those suffering from Cystic Fibrosis and Asthma.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/HEALTH/condi...ter/index.html

Bill

Sutty

I didn't see anything about asthma in that article - just cystic fibrosis, which is a completely different condition.

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Richard Harris

If you see a non-expert doctor and tick yes to asthma on the form, the answer is likely to be NO to diving 'cos everyone knows asthma and diving are a no-no right? But if you lie and tick yes, then you possibly put yourself at risk. Don't forget you put your buddy at risk also and may spoil some diveguide/boatowners life too. It's not as simple as "It's my risk so it's my business".

If you see a doctor with some expertise in diving medicine, it is likely that they (like Dave Teubner above) will explain the pros and cons, and further assess your personal risk for diving. After the talking and testing are done, the doc can give you an informed opinion abut risk.

But remember:
1) Many asthmatics dive without difficulties.
2) Asthmatics ARE over-represented in diving fatality figures, primarily from drowning on the surface.
3) There IS a theoretical increased risk of pulmonary barotrauma in asthmatics. The first 10m is the MOST dangerous so depth limitations are pretty much non-sensical.
4) There are some objective measurements for asthmatics which doctors will use as a guide/cut off to determine fit or unfit to dive (eg for commercial diving medicals).

So disclose the truth to your doctor and go with their advice. But make sure you see one that knows what they are talking about.

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www.divedoc.net

magentaseas

Hi
The following is taken from the UK Sport Diving Medical Council guidelines and is probably similar to other agencies.
These tend to relate to OC diving, but as the air in a CCR is warmer and moist it might make things easier if the asthma is set off by cold, dry air.

cheers

sharon


Asthma may predispose to air-trapping leading to pulmonary barotrauma and air embolism, which may be fatal. An acute asthma attack can also cause severe dyspnoea which may be hazardous or fatal during diving.

These theoretical risks should be explained fully to the asthmatic diver. There is little if any evidence that the mild controlled asthmatic who follows the guidelines below is at more risk.

Asthmatics may dive if they have allergic asthma but not if they have cold, exercise or emotion induced asthma.

All asthmatics should be managed in accordance with British Thoracic Society Guidelines.

Only well-controlled asthmatics may dive.

Ashtmatics should not dive if he/she has needed a therapeutic bronchodilator in the last 48 hours or has had any other chest symptoms.

Control
The asthmatic should not need more than occasional bronchodilators, i.e. daily usage would be a disqualifying factor, but inhaled steroids/cromoglycate/nedocromil are permissible.

During the diving season he/she should take bd peak flows. A deviation of 10% from best values should exclude diving until within 10% of best values for at least 48 hours before diving.

The medical examiner should perform an exercise test such as the 18 in (43 cm) step test for three minutes, or running outside (not a bicycle ergometer) to increase the heart rate to 80% (210-age). A decrease in PEFR of 15% at three minutes post exercise should be taken as evidence of exercise induced bronchoconstriction and hence disbars. The patient should be off all bronchodilators for 24 hours before the test.

A b2 agonist may be taken pre-diving as a preventative but not to relieve bronchospasm at the time.

References :

2. Farrell, PJS, Glanvill P "Diving practices of scuba divers with asthma" Brit.Med.J. 300(1990)166
3. Farrell, PJS "Asthmatic amateur divers in the UK" SPUMS J. 25(1995)22

Standard issued January 1996.

4evaman

I am asthmatic and yet I'm a professional diver, I love waters, but yet, once I got an asthma attack under water and I thought I would die. I fell unconscious and was rescued by a safeguard=yeah, a diver being rescrued by another person..it was embarassing= well, I just had to come home, relax, chat with some friends on the net when I decided to so some search on google, yahoo, msn..and I came across a wonderful online pharmacy www.drugdelivery.ca where I purchased Zaditen..I am really thankful for the wonderful service provided by that site. I hope this bit going to help you.. being an asthmatic diver is not everyone's cup of tea