18 replies to this topic

[Bubble2Bubble]

I have a Medical Condition that should keep me from being a Diver. But I choose to dive anyway.
The List of things that should keep people from being a diver is Long.........

so I'm not going to risk missspelling any medical terms here.

The sub-title says anonymous, but you can add your thoughts if you want.

Got a Medical Condition ?
1. Yes
2. No
3. None of your business


B2B

Edited by Bubble2Bubble, 07 August 2006 - 11:16 AM.

[6Gill]

Something to consider is not only how this medical condition will effect you but the people you dive with(buddy, divegroup,charter operters)along with family ect.There is both a physical and mental danger to those diving with or around you along with the charter people.I know a number of people that have had to deal with a death or major situation created by people lying about their medical condition.
That being said not all medical conditions limit diving but might limit the type of diving one does.
I feel that what ones does is fine and noones buisness but if you put people at risk they have a right to know and decide for themselves.

[cdtgray]

Medical conditions aside, I have no problem with the person who knowingly engages in something dangerous provided that the individual is willing to accept all of the associated risks and that the individual's actions do nothing to put others at risk. It is simply a matter of personal responsibility and respect for others. Unfortunately it seems in many cases that both responsibility and respect are lacking in our society.

Certainly in Victoria's case, the diver with asthma didn't respect Victoria enough as an instructor to inform her of the condition. I also have little doubt that if something more serious happened the woman with asthma would have initiated a lawsuit (or her family posthumously).

[Bubble2Bubble]

We can start a thread on If you have a medical condition and dont tell anyone about later

DIVING MEDICAL EXAM OVERVIEW FOR THE EXAMINING PHYSICIAN

1. Tympanic membrane perforation or aeration tube [7]
2. Inability to auto-inflate the middle ears [6,7,8]
3. External ear exostoses or osteomas adequate to prevent external ear canal pressure equilibration [4]
4. Meniere's Disease or other chronic vertiginous conditions, status post-surgery, such as subarachnoid endolymphatic shunt for Meniere's Disease [11]
5. Stapedectomy and middle ear prosthesis [9]
6. Chronic mastoiditis or mastoid fistula [5]
7. Any oral or maxillofacial deformity that interferes with the retention of the regulator mouthpiece [43]
8. Corrected near visual acuity not adequate to see tank pressure gauge, watch, decompression tables, and compass underwater. Uncorrected visual acuity not adequate to see the diving buddy or locate the boat in case corrective lenses are lost underwater [13]
9. Radial keratotomy or other recent ocular surgery [14]
10. Claustrophobia of a degree to predispose to panic [15,16]
11. Suicidal ideation [16]
12. Significant anxiety states [16]
13. Psychosis [18]
14. Severe depression [16]
15. Manic states [16]
16. Alcoholism [19,20]
17. Mood-altering drug use [19,20]
18. Improper motivation for diving [16,17,18]
19. Episodic loss of consciousness [1,22]
20. History of seizure. History of seizure in early childhood must be evaluated individually [21]
21. Migraine [20]
22. History of cerebrovascular accident or transient ischemic attack [23]

23. History of spinal cord trauma with neurologic deficit - whether fully recovered or not. [23]
24. Any degenerative or demyelinating CNS process [25]
25. Brain tumor with or without surgery [24]
26. Intracranial aneurysm or other vascular malformation [24]
27. History of neurological decompression sickness with residual deficit [23,24]
28. Head injury with sequelae [21]
29. History of intracranial surgery [24]
30. Sickle cell disease [34]
31. Polycythemia or leukemia [34]
32. Unexplained anemia [34]
33. History of myocardial infarction [28,29,20]
34. Angina or other evidence of coronary artery disease [29]
35. Unrepaired cardiac septal defects [32]
36. Aortic stenosis or mitral stenosis [32]
37. Complete heart block [31]
38. Fixed second-degree heart block [31]
39. Exercised-induced tachyarrhythmias [31,32]
40. Wolf-Parkinson-White (WPW) Syndrome with paroxysmal atrial tachycardia or syncope [31]
41. Fixed-rate pacemakers [33]
42. Any drugs which inhibit the normal cardiovascular response to exercise tolerance [31]
43. Peripheral vascular disease, arterial or venous, severe enough to limit exercise tolerance [33,41]
44. Hypertension with end-organ finding - retinal, cardiac, renal or vascular [30]
45. History of spontaneous pneumothorax [36]
46. Bronchial asthma. History of childhood asthma requires special studies [7,35]
47. Exercise or cold air-induced asthma [36,37]
48. X-ray evidence of pulmonary blebs, bullae, or cysts [36,37]
49. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [37]
50. Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Diet or oral medication-controlled diabetes mellitus if there is a history of hypoglycemic episodes [38]
51. Any abdominal wall hernia with potential for gas-trapping until surgically corrected [41]
52. Paraesophageal or incarcerated sliding hiatal hernia [39]
53. Sliding hiatus hernia if symptomatic due to reflux esophagitis [39]
54. Pregnancy [1,45]
55. Osteonecrosis. A history consistent with a high risk of dysbaric osteonecrosis
56. Any condition requiring ingestion of the following medication: antihistamines, bronchodilators, steroids, barbiturates, phenytoin, mood-altering drugs, insulin



Thats the Top 56 reasons anyway.

I'm not promoting unsafe diving at all !
I just want people to be honest with themselves and give us an Idea of how many people have a Medical Condtion. we all dive under the water, But no one Walks on it

B2B

[cdtgray]

Ooops, didnt mean to drift a little off of the topic. No medical contradictions to diving on my end, just occupational ones lately.

[Bubble2Bubble]

No Worries Dave

Theres no right or wrong posts here.

I had to confess to one of these conditions so I could post this poll.

I have been craving pickles and ice cream lately so I must be #54


B2B

[ScubaDadMiami]

What are the numbers in brackets?

[Hipshot]

Approximately 15 years ago, I had a virus-induced cardiomyopathy that almost killed me. I was medically cleared for diving and made my first dive of 1992 less than six months after being released from the hospital. I have observed a 60-foot floor since that time, and I have an automated internal defibrillator that will be damaged from pressure if I go much past 100 feet.

This year, for the first time, I feel impaired. Consequently, after this season, I'm hanging up my regulator for good. Besides the cardiomyopathy, I've developed arthritis, and between the two of them, diving is just too much.

I've been diving since 1969, and I've had a good, long run. However, as in any sport, one has to know when to get out. I'll still assist with classes, including pool work, but my open water days are coming to a close.

Rick


I’ll never be considered one of the all-time greats; maybe not even one of the all-time goods. But I’m one of the all-time survivors.--Jim Kaat

[ScubaDadMiami]

8. Corrected near visual acuity not adequate to see tank pressure gauge, watch, decompression tables, and compass underwater. Uncorrected visual acuity not adequate to see the diving buddy or locate the boat in case corrective lenses are lost underwater [13]

I might be guilty of this one

That's what masks and backup masks are for. Shouldn't that be enough?

[ScubaDadMiami]

I've been diving since 1969, and I've had a good, long run. However, as in any sport, one has to know when to get out.

I only hope that I can be so brave if that day ever comes. You are the tops!

[Starfish Sandy]

I've been diving since 1969, and I've had a good, long run. However, as in any sport, one has to know when to get out.

I only hope that I can be so brave if that day ever comes. You are the tops!

DITTO!!!

[Scubatooth]

Before going into the list, i do have a medical condition that CAN affect my diving but if its active im not going to feel well enough to dive (Crohns), and my meds can factor into this. Those that i know and dive with are aware of my condition and status. Then if i have problems i will know whats going on and what the steps to be taken are.

But those that lie about conditions to dive are putting others at risk and exposing them to unneeded liabilty if something where to happen. IE student has a asthma or heart condition,etc and has a problem underwater and gets severly injured or killed first blunt reaction afterwards is going to round up names and sue.

personally i would rather know in advance of something(even if its not reccomended you dont dive) so if something where to happen i would have a clue as whats going on/do, or even the ability to opt out of the event(because of the cert i hold, nad whats expected of me with holding those(duty to act, etc)) .

now for the list

We can start a thread on If you have a medical condition and dont tell anyone about later

35. Unrepaired cardiac septal defects [32]
36. Aortic stenosis or mitral stenosis [32]
37. Complete heart block [31]
38. Fixed second-degree heart block [31]
39. Exercised-induced tachyarrhythmias [31,32]
40. Wolf-Parkinson-White (WPW) Syndrome with paroxysmal atrial tachycardia or syncope [31]
41. Fixed-rate pacemakers [33]

with being in the cardiology section of my paramedic training we have had extensive lectures on these conditions.

on number 35 most people who have this dont know about it till they get bent because of it, or they go looking for it. its commonly called a PFO.

36. didnt know that about the stints but good to know.

as for 37,38 those conditions for the most part if those persons have those they are going to be in the hospital or closely monitored as 37, and 38 can be fatal if not treated by a cardiologist and had a pacemaker inserted.

39-41 interesting but i those people wouldtn be diving as there doctor wouldnt recomend it, especially 40 as having runs of SVT (supra ventricular tach, same as paroxysmal atrial tach) is normally a precurser to other more serious disrhythmias.

56. Any condition requiring ingestion of the following medication: antihistamines, bronchodilators, steroids, barbiturates, phenytoin, mood-altering drugs, insulin

hmm the i can understand most of this list but why is steriods listed on this? because for the first 2 years i dove i was on high dose steriods to control my condition and didnt have any bad effects or reactions. Is there some research that i missed online ?

FWIW

Tooth

Edited by Scubatooth, 08 August 2006 - 09:01 AM.

[Basslet]

My doctor has cleared me to dive so while I may have a condition, it is under control.