First Defence

[Salty]

Hi, I've not posted on here for a long time. But as I'm just about to get back in the water after a long break, I thought I'd ask about a product that has been recommended to me that's supposed to keep cold germs at bay!

It's a nasal spray called First Defense and made by Vicks.

Has anyone used it leading up to a diving trip? And if so, do you think it helped?

I have been using it for the last couple of days, and intend using it while on the plane, as this is the time when I think we are all most likely to catch some sort of germ.

Cheers

Salty

[Ding Dang Doo]

Originally Posted by Salty

Hi, I've not posted on here for a long time. But as I'm just about to get back in the water after a long break, I thought I'd ask about a product that has been recommended to me that's supposed to keep cold germs at bay!

It's a nasal spray called First Defense and made by Vicks.

Has anyone used it leading up to a diving trip? And if so, do you think it helped?

I have been using it for the last couple of days, and intend using it while on the plane, as this is the time when I think we are all most likely to catch some sort of germ.

Cheers

Salty

I've used it...who knows if it helped, but I didn't get a cold!

All I do know is, if you snort it back too hard, it blows your brains out and makes the inside of your nose and throat feel like you have just inserted a roll of barbed wire into your nasel passage and fed it through to the back of your mouth

be gentle with it!


Pete

[nigelH]

Originally Posted by Salty

It's a nasal spray called First Defense and made by Vicks.

I tend to be very dubious about stuff like that.

In some parts of Africa and Asia if you get bitten by a snake they rush you to the poison charmer. For a fee they then exorcise the poison.
Since most snakes are not poisonous, just want you to go away, their success rate is very good.

Reading the bumph First Defence is is apparently a rather acidic irritant that causes you to excrete lots of mucus so you feel like you had a cold starting then it goes away. They seem quite proud of the fact it contains no regulated (active?) ingredients.

Snake oil.

[NotDeadYet]

Originally Posted by nigelH

I tend to be very dubious about stuff like that.

In some parts of Africa and Asia if you get bitten by a snake they rush you to the poison charmer. For a fee they then exorcise the poison.
Since most snakes are not poisonous, just want you to go away, their success rate is very good.

Reading the bumph First Defence is is apparently a rather acidic irritant that causes you to excrete lots of mucus so you feel like you had a cold starting then it goes away. They seem quite proud of the fact it contains no regulated (active?) ingredients.

Snake oil.

I'm generally cynical when it comes to stuff like this as well but I've managed to avoid any colds at all this year which is unusual for me. A few times I've felt colds coming on and used First Defence and it's stopped them dead. Most recently I used it I got all the usual cold symptoms like feverishness, aching joints, etc., but without the nasal symptoms which was great as I could keep diving. I do think it's related to using it because I've never had a cold like it that I can remember. Usually I get the lot if I'm getting a cold.

I know it's always hard to prove a connection with something not happening. It's a £6 investment which isn't much, if it works then fine, if it doesn't then no loss. I think it works for me.

And Costco sell a pack of two bottles for the price of one in a chemists.

Cheers,

Stuart

[Garf]

now with extra madupsicum nonsensicum, although the primary ingredient is listed as "aqua", which sounds medical to me.

[Frankie Price]

Originally Posted by Garf

now with extra madupsicum nonsensicum, although the primary ingredient is listed as "aqua", which sounds medical to me.

Treat that "aqua" stuff with extreme caution, too much of it has been known to be lethal.

[Salty]

Thanks guys,

Not had much in the way of mucas at the moment, just makes the nose run a bit after taking a good snort up each nostril.
Your right it does make my throat a bit raspy if i inhale too much, so it's just a gentle squirt from now on!

It will certainly be worth the £6 if it lets me get my diving in, I hate getting on a plane when I've planned to dive, you just know there's going to be loads of people coughing and spluttering everywhere. And of course one of them's going to be sitting right behind......
Friend of mine recently went out to Malta to dive, got on the plane right as rain by the time he'd checked in at the hotel he was feeling really rough and missed the weeks diving.

Cheers

Salty

[BJ]

I think the best treatment for a common cold is plenty of warm sunshine, fresh sea air and a regular dowsing of the sinuses with sea water. It works for me. The increasing pressurers within the sinuses on an ascent can clear all the mucus from your nose! Or you can stay at home and take plenty of hot showers.

[Adrian Kelland]

Originally Posted by Garf

now with extra madupsicum nonsensicum, although the primary ingredient is listed as "aqua", which sounds medical to me.

Have you seen the Boots facial spray? £3.99 for 150ml. 100% Aqua. Must be good.