cave diving with asthma
How many know of someone or have been cave diving themselfs with asthma? I have been sick for two months doctor thinks i have asthma all though i never have trouble like most. My lungs have just been congested .
I have extremely minor asthma. I didn't know I had it until I was nearly 30 and I had mycoplasma, the flu, and pneumonia all piled one on top of the other. After I finished the antibiotics, I still was coughing. That's when I was diagnosed. Then I realized that when I'm out of shape and do some serious exercise (like running up an especially long escalator in the out-of-doors in winter), it can trigger a coughing fit that can last for quite some hours.
When I signed up for scuba class, I had to get doctor's approval. I was rather fit at the time and when I told the doctor (on that cold winter morning) that I could go out and jog for 7 miles, no problem, he signed me as fit for diving. I then learned that people can DIE from asthma while diving. So I'm grateful that I have a minor case as it's never caused me any trouble. The dry tank air doesn't seem to bother me.
Land of Enchantment -- not so great for cave diving, but mighty scenic!
From a Respiratory Therapist point of view, I would not recommend diving with asthma but if you do; 1) let your dive buddy know that you have it and 2) use your peak flow two to three times a day. The peak flow, although not a 100% predictor, can often tell you when an attack is coming on.
"...some night, in the chill darkness, someone will make a mistake: The sea will show him no mercy." John T. Cunningham
thats my problem i dont have any attacks just have had congested lungs.I have been diving for years with no problem i just hope the congeston goes away and he is wrong.
What is he basing his diagnosis on? Has he had you do any pulmonary function tests? "Congested lungs" are not enough to form an asthma diagnosis.
Rob Neto
Chipola Divers, LLC
Check out my new book - Sidemount Diving - An Almost Comprehensive Guide
"Survival depends on being able to suppress anxiety and replace it with calm, clear, quick and correct reasoning..." -Sheck Exley
Seek a second MEDICAL opinion. Not medical opinions on a chat board.Originally Posted by deepclipper
Jim Wyatt
Cavediveflorida
Agreed
Although it is wise to let your buddy know. Stressors like cold and exertion which are found in cave diving environments,can bring on an attack,if that is what you have.
"Not all change is improvement...but all improvement is change" Donald Berwick
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Jim Wyatt
Cavediveflorida
call DAN?
I've had asthma from childhood. Been diving since 1974; in (and outof )caves since 1976. I use an inhaler before diving as a preventative, and a coupld of times didn't dive 'cause I just didn't "feel right". You need to do a couple of things- first determine if you really have asthma and if so what triggers it. If you can avoid those triggers, asthma shouldn't be a problem.
Never dive with any kind of chest congestions. For any reason. But you already know this. Feel free to pm me when you get more information.
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