Car Crash - Whiplash Injury

[sacha]

Am recovering from a car crash and neck problems - that was last week. I'm not thinking of diving at the moment but is there any particular period of time to keep away from diving after an incident like this.

thanks for all and any comments

Sacha

[Dan Wilko]

My main worry would be the weight of equipment, but other than that, whenever you feel ready.

[mala]

wait untill the insurance has paid out

[Dan Wilko]

and that

[Capone]

Visit a GP and a physio to get their opinion. I had the same thing back in October and am still suffering quite a lot with the shoulder. Went for more X-rays on Monday and they (NHS) now want MRI Scans with a view to possible surgery but they want me to try and get back to some diving & sailing now that I have most of the strength back (just pain and sometimes feels like it could give way under MASSIVE strain).

Part of convalesing is building strength in the effected areas back up so the physio & GP both want me to slowly get back into diving now that I have done lots of strengthening excercises on it (stuff like in the pool with a single ten, then shallow shore diving with a 12, then onto a 15, then hopefully onto twins again and boat diving but build up gradually so as to ensure you fit to move to the next stage).

Getting back into doing what you used to do (and hope to continue to do) also allows you to see if there are any other problems that were not obvious when you were taking it more easy after the accident.
So....talk to your GP and physiotherapist to see what they say.
No point staying away from diving for a year while insurance is sorted out and then finding out that you have problems still with lifting the weight or additional aches after diving that you didn't used to have........AFTER THE CLAIM HAS BEEN SETTLED with no way of getting back on the insurance companies case; PLUS surely it is better to get these things found out early. Hopefully there won't be any further problems.

Bottom line, don't go diving before a GP / Physio says you can but at the same time don't just sit back and do nothing thinking that that will be best as it probably isn't.
Speak to your GP & Physio.

I think I have repeated myself enough !!!! ;-)


And I hope that everything goes Okay for you.

[clockworkdog]

Originally Posted by sacha

Am recovering from a car crash and neck problems - that was last week. I'm not thinking of diving at the moment but is there any particular period of time to keep away from diving after an incident like this.

thanks for all and any comments

Sacha

I'm still suffering 2.5 years later and I'm only 35! The back is nowhere near as bad as it was but it has never been the same. Ho hum. Had lots of physio, which has helped train me to do things properly again. There is a real risk that due to pain etc. that you use other muscles to compensate. This often causes other problems within a short period of time and it is difficult to get out of the cycle. I just get on with it now and make the best of it. It doesn't hold me back very often. Good luck with your situation.

Andy

[Dizzydiver]

Originally Posted by mala

wait untill the insurance has paid out

It took 3 years for my payout....so she may want to get in the water sooner than that.....

I had my accident 10 years ago and like Andy, my back has never been the same. You'll want the full payout from the insurance as you'll want to see the Physio for a long time to come. Hope the worst of it is over for you soon.

Kelly

[bootneck81]

I laid off for over five years and still feel the effects, but now I am back in the water Its getting easier. I re configured my gear and purchased a weight harness which helps a lot.

[David Tombs]

This is one of those things where we want an idea of recovery time,but we Docs are unable to give an accurate idea. There are so many variables,so many similar injuries and predispositions. Certainly the comments re insurance are good,they will either say if u can scuba then your neck is ok,or the scuba has made it worse etc.. Its not just the weight issue,its how we hold our heads in the water by flexing/extending the neck. What I would say,is that they can be a bugger to recover,worse if you are neurotic, and if irritated make every day life so much harder. Give yourself time to recover fully,which may be longer than you think. But you could be lucky,if not too bad a trauma,with good neck anatomy and no pre-exisitng disease it may not be too long. But Tendons and ligaments are a bugger to heal.

[SilvaFish]

I've had a bad accident in 1997 and still suffer from neck and back problems. Basically, I wouldn't dive if didn't have full range of movement in the neck especially, and if have any feeling of neck 'locking up' if turning head as if to look over shoulder. I would wait until you got the ok from the doc or physio, and after that, I know of a good chiropractor!

Get well soon!
Lou