Asthma issues

[tal_y]

This is a question for a friend of mine , who has asthma and thinks doing a diving course.
I understood that today there is no strict prohibit to dive if you're asthmatic. but the thing is that he uses "simbicort" in small dosage ( once a day 4.5 mG) - is there any chance getting a medical approval for a diving course , or the fact of using simbicort is an automaticly rejects the approval?
(He's taking ventolin once a year - and just for convinience)

[Sansho]

I'm not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV, however, I think you need to consult a medical doctor familiar with Scuba to answer the question. Since an underwater asthma attack could kill a person, it's worthwhile to discuss with a doctor. Also, in order to take many dive courses, you have to fill out a medical questionnaire, and if there are medical issues, a doctor would have to sign off before instruction began.

[Martin2]

Ideally a doctor familiar with diving. My DH has asthma and was cleared to dive. It often depends on the severity of the asthma, triggers, etc.

[Swanny]

I have asthma and I dive. I take Advair daily and don't dive when my asthma is bothering me. I have never had a problem with it acting up underwater, mostly because my asthma is allergy-induced. If you think about it, you are breathing filtered air, so there shouldn't be very many allergens present. If you have exercised-induced asthma, you have a different set of issues, because diving can be strenuous in certain circumstances and you could possibly trigger breathing problems.

The best bet is to talk to your doctor. Mine had no problems with me diving, largely because my asthma is under control and I know my triggers.

[freeski4ever]

Technically, according to NAUI, asthma is a permanent contraindication to diving. But then again your best bet is to contact a dive physician or DAN, and seek professional advice. Last thing you want to happen is to need your asthma inhaler at depth, and end up screwed.

[caroln]

Call DAN and get a referral to a diving doc who understands asthma. I did that, and got an excellent doc who asked me a zillion questions, did some testing and cleared me to dive. He's also an excellent doc in general, and has considerably improved my management plan for asthma/allergies to the point that I sometimes forget I have it.

[oddbod]

Originally Posted by caroln

Call DAN and get a referral to a diving doc who understands asthma. I did that, and got an excellent doc who asked me a zillion questions, did some testing and cleared me to dive. He's also an excellent doc in general, and has considerably improved my management plan for asthma/allergies to the point that I sometimes forget I have it.

Fully agree just make sure the doctor is pro asthma as there are still some here in Aust . that think it is a no no! If you think you want a 2nd opinion then try again.

[longtailbda]

I've been diving for many years and have asthma; please check with a very knowledgeable diving doctor. There are some very great and potentially life threatening risk with diving with asthma.

[hawkenph]

I was diving before I knew I had asthma. lol I developed some problems after serving in the Middle East and went in for a check up and found out I had asthma that was after getting certified and had done 12 dives with the deepest being 70ft.

[digitalman]

I'm somewhat asthmatic. Before I could get my doctor's OK to dive, she put me on a treadmill test and ran my legs off for 10 minutes. I sounded like an old steam engine, but didn't need to use an inhaler. She told me that as long as I know my limits and don't do any extreme dives, she'd sign off on the paperwork. It isn't worth having a problem underwater, so if I feel myself getting worked up, I abort the dive. I've pushed myself a few times (rescue class), but to date have never had a surface "out of air" emergency.