Asthma

[gunner]

I have just booked my PADI diving course which I am looking forward too very much. I have also booked a medical for next week and I will have to mention that I suffer from asthma.
My asthma is mild and is not brought on by exercise as I do alot of mountain biking, and if anything it seems to help. It is only a problem when I have a cold or get very stressed.

There must be others on here that are also asthma sufferers so I would welcome any advice from you.

many years ago I broke my nose and also had surgery on my sinus, although this was in an effort to try and stop me snoring! Do you think I should mention (not the snoring!) this

thanks

[CotoChris]

I would say that the best thing is to go a diving doctor who can give you profesional advice. I would take any info from forum users as 'pinch of salt', especially when it involves medical advice.

Hopefuly someone can point you to the right direction.

[Spike Jackson]

Originally Posted by CotoChris

I would say that the best thing is to go a diving doctor who can give you profesional advice. I would take any info from forum users as 'pinch of salt', especially when it involves medical advice.

Hopefuly someone can point you to the right direction.

What he said. Some people with asthma can dive, some can't. Do make sure you're seeing a proper diving doc though.

[RickW]

Originally Posted by gunner

I have just booked my PADI diving course which I am looking forward too very much. I have also booked a medical for next week and I will have to mention that I suffer from asthma.
My asthma is mild and is not brought on by exercise as I do alot of mountain biking, and if anything it seems to help. It is only a problem when I have a cold or get very stressed.

There must be others on here that are also asthma sufferers so I would welcome any advice from you.

many years ago I broke my nose and also had surgery on my sinus, although this was in an effort to try and stop me snoring! Do you think I should mention (not the snoring!) this

thanks

look here

http://www.uksdmc.co.uk/standards/St...-%20asthma.htm

and here for a dive doc, I know you have booked your medical but it really needs to be done by a diving doctor either UKSDMC or HSE; a normal GP probably wont sign the medical forms - mine wouldnt!!

http://www.uksdmc.co.uk/main/Medical%20referees.htm

[thehappychappy]

I have Allergic Asthma (cats & some dusts).

I wanted to learn to dive but was not sure of the right approach.

As I wanted to join SCOTSAC (not PADI) I checked with them and they recommended certain Diving Medical refarees (Basically the same list as has been linked already).

Scotsac wanted me to join them, pay fees then get branch diving officer to get me to join a branch and then go see the Diving Doc.

I made a private appointment with the medical referee prior to joining Scotsac, he asked me medical questions, checked my peak flow,blood pressure, checked weight & body fat then asked me to do some excersice, my peak flow was then checked 5 minutes after excersicing.

I passed no problem however was given a limited medical pass in that I have to be rechecked after three years and I can use a blue inhaler as a preventor but not as a relief from an Asthma attack, without affecting my diving.

If I utilise any medicaion for releif from asthma I cannot dive within a 24 hour period.

They key point here and this was pointed out to me by the doctor who issued my diving medical is that I can take the same medication however I must use it in the correct manner (which is slightly different than my normal GP - NON diving doctor recommended).


After I passed my medical I then sent the signed form away to Scotsac with my membership fees and joined.

That way I didnt waste money joining a club I may not have been able to dive with.

Obviously everybody is different and I am not a doctor however having Asthma has not stopped me diving.

Generally I am fit, I sometimes run 10km a few times a week or I do Circuit classes, regular cardio work in the Gym and regular free weights.
I tend to always take the stairs and walk a lot.

I would say I am fitter than at least 70% of the divers in my club branch.



Good Luck.

[dry suit diver]

Originally Posted by thehappychappy

I have Allergic Asthma (cats & some dusts).

I wanted to learn to dive but was not sure of the right approach.

As I wanted to join SCOTSAC (not PADI) I checked with them and they recommended certain Diving Medical refarees (Basically the same list as has been linked already).

Scotsac wanted me to join them, pay fees then get branch diving officer to get me to join a branch and then go see the Diving Doc.

I made a private appointment with the medical referee prior to joining Scotsac, he asked me medical questions, checked my peak flow,blood pressure, checked weight & body fat then asked me to do some excersice, my peak flow was then checked 5 minutes after excersicing.

I passed no problem however was given a limited medical pass in that I have to be rechecked after three years and I can use a blue inhaler as a preventor but not as a relief from an Asthma attack, without affecting my diving.

If I utilise any medicaion for releif from asthma I cannot dive within a 24 hour period.

They key point here and this was pointed out to me by the doctor who issued my diving medical is that I can take the same medication however I must use it in the correct manner (which is slightly different than my normal GP - NON diving doctor recommended).


After I passed my medical I then sent the signed form away to Scotsac with my membership fees and joined.

That way I didnt waste money joining a club I may not have been able to dive with.

Obviously everybody is different and I am not a doctor however having Asthma has not stopped me diving.

Generally I am fit, I sometimes run 10km a few times a week or I do Circuit classes, regular cardio work in the Gym and regular free weights.
I tend to always take the stairs and walk a lot.

I would say I am fitter than at least 70% of the divers in my club branch.



Good Luck.

blue inhaler has absolutley no effect as a preventer, the red or brown ones are the preventers.

blue is for relief only.

[thehappychappy]

Originally Posted by dry suit diver

blue inhaler has absolutley no effect as a preventer, the red or brown ones are the preventers.

blue is for relief only.

Exactly!
Basically you can take preventors but not reliefers.

Doh just reliased I have said blue for prevention, meant to say brown.

Sorry!

Type first, engage brain second, should have been other way around.

[tom.biddulph.113]

i wasnt shore if i shud start diving but it may sound silly but breathing of a bottle relaxes my breathing and i think the blue relief inhalers are a load of rubbish 2 be honest

[ardhill]

Originally Posted by gunner

My asthma is mild and is not brought on by exercise as I do alot of mountain biking, and if anything it seems to help. It is only a problem when I have a cold or get very stressed.

Diving in the UK, you WILL get cold and stressed. Diving anywhere - you WILL get stressed. Who said it was a relaxing sport

Even if you don't have an attack, according to the dive doc I saw, you can have squeeze problems in your lungs even if you are feeling fine. It depends on your condition.

many years ago I broke my nose and also had surgery on my sinus, although this was in an effort to try and stop me snoring! Do you think I should mention (not the snoring!) this

Sinus issues are VERY important when diving
Like others have said, see a diving doc and tell him / her anything that may be important. If you do not get a 'Fit To Dive' cert, then be happy that you can live another day to get up in the mountains and all the other things you can do safely.

On the other hand, your condition may be such that it is not a major danger and you get your cert no problem. But for your own safety please get your medical with a proper diving doc. That's what I had to do because of a history of asthma and current migraines and I got my cert without a problem after all the tests and questions and warnings.
.

[Nick Kay]

1. Depends on the type of Asthma and how its induced

2. See a Medical referee

3. FWIW, I know a number of Asthma sufferers who dive, one of whom is a BSAC Instructor

4. Some of them are limited: Nitrox +/or depth +/or number of dives per day / the cold

5. Recently discovered there is a problem with Asthmatics and cold water (i.e. UK, inland, winter). Evidently these conditions may constrict the chest / airways and any fast ascent may cause lung problems...