Type 1 diabeties what next?.

[David D]

Originally Posted by Steve S

Hi David,

no you have got it, if a diabetic suffers from low sugar level problems they cannot satisfy the requirements of the UKSDMC to hold a fit to dive cert'

If that's his condition then don't know how, but he does.

I know he has to get his GP to sign off, then he has to go to a dive medic who specialises in diabetes, who also has to sign off. He fills in a questionnaire every year and they go over him quite thoroughly (I think because he's a 'special' case). In the end, he is covered.

He's early thirties, pretty much a big, fit, strong guy, and never had a problem when I was diving with him. But, like I said, I reckon that's good management.

And, Paddy Diver, the diving we do tegether is trimix stuff down to 70-80m range, so it's doable if you have the desire

[David Pye]

Originally Posted by Steve S

If that is all the advice you can offer perhaps it would be better left unsaid.

Illegal, sanctioned however you word it the end result is the same, a diabetic whos dived pre 93 or now without a medical certificate, their family would have no claim on any insurance they had if a fatal accident occured, also any 3rd party insurance would be void leaving the person personally liabable to litigation.

Does that meet with your approval?

Safe diving,
Steve

That's exactly my point though - illegal vs sanctioned is not the same.

If something's illegal, you can be arrested and charged if you do it.

Unsanctioned means that the insurers would have grounds not to pay out, and your training agency might choose to disown you as a result.

I was just trying to make a point that I feel is important to note, not encouraging people to act against medical advice and put themselves in danger.

[gwilson]

I also had a mate who years back when we were up in Norway, kept complaining of constant thurst, tiredness, failing eyesight and generally feeling unwell. Normally he was boardering on hyper active, very fit and healthy. I jokingly said might be diabetes, when we got back to Yeovilton he headed to our sick bay had blood tests taken and was also diagnosed as type 1 diabeties. He is still serving and passing his medicals/fitness tests only thing that it has stopped him doing is going back to sea.

[Steve S]

Originally Posted by David Pye

That's exactly my point though - illegal vs sanctioned is not the same.

If something's illegal, you can be arrested and charged if you do it.

Unsanctioned means that the insurers would have grounds not to pay out, and your training agency might choose to disown you as a result.

I was just trying to make a point that I feel is important to note, not encouraging people to act against medical advice and put themselves in danger.

Thank you for my grammar lesson I'll try to be more careful in future.

FTR Illegal - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia I class it a breaking ''rules'' as well not just the rule of law.

Safe diving,
Steve

[Ivon]

Hi Ray, I am studying diabetes at the moment at uni. If he wants any info on the hows and whys then let me know.

[ray]

Hi.
Thanks for the replies I will pass them on.

He apparently has high blood sugar does that make a difference?.

[Steve S]

Originally Posted by ray

Hi.
Thanks for the replies I will pass them on.

He apparently has high blood sugar does that make a difference?.

Hi Ray,

He will have until it is controlled, then what his doctors will do will be to extract some blood and do a hbA1c test which will give them an idea of his control over the last few weeks.

I found testing my own blood a chore at the onset but it is necessary to understand how the insulin will work in his body, and the sooner he gets it under control the sooner he can get back to living a full life.

Safe diving,
Steve

[topgunner]

Hi Ray

As Steve S says, diabetes is a life changing experience but it does not prevent you from achieving anything. Like Steve, I have been a Type 1 (insulin dependent) diabetic for 17 years and came into diving only three years ago.

The early months of being an insulin dependent diabetic are all about learning. Recognising the signs of a "hypo" where your blood sugar level drops too low is an important part of diabetes management, but changing your lifestyle to eat little and often and proactively managing your diabetes is just as important.

I have no problems whatsoever with my diabetes when diving, but I know how to manage my exersize and food intake.

It is important that your friend learns to manage his diabetes before returning to diving.

If your friend would rather ask me some questions directly then PM me for an email address.

Jon

[divingdancer]

HI all

i'm going for a glucose tolerance test this next week. I have been knackered for months now and had a borderline blood test last year. Trouble is - I'm female and a chocaholic, do I have an excuse if diagnosed and forbidden to eat chocolate and kill someone at THAT time of the girlie month?

btw the tiredness is not anaemia (treated) or thyroid (tested negative)

[SilvaFish]

Originally Posted by divingdancer

HI all

i'm going for a glucose tolerance test this next week. I have been knackered for months now and had a borderline blood test last year. Trouble is - I'm female and a chocaholic, do I have an excuse if diagnosed and forbidden to eat chocolate and kill someone at THAT time of the girlie month?

btw the tiredness is not anaemia (treated) or thyroid (tested negative)

It might be worth looking into trying a chromium supplement - it is known to help balancing blood sugar for those with glucose intolerance and Type 2.

As for me, it's BROWN rice, BROWN pasta, BROWN bread; but I still keep them pesky sweets in the car!!!

Lou