Any advice

Da Wolf · 05-15-2007, 05:06 PM

My brother is currently trying to get certified for diving. And I was wondering what your feelings or input on this situation is. About 2 years ago he was diagnosised as having Supraventricular tachycardia (irregular heart beat). He had an operation that corrected it (was not open heart surgery). Now since he has had the surgery he has not had a re-occurance of this issue. But before the surgery it happened frequently and unpredictably. Now what are y'alls thoughts on this conditions. Since he has has it corrected and it has not happened over the last 2 years, you think he will be fine for diving? He is working on getting an appointment with a Cardiologist to get a more concrete answer, but I was just wanting y'alls input. We are currently hoping that everything works out for him to be able to go diving with me this summer. If the doc tells him he can not dive cause of this, I know this will devistate him and possible me as well.

**MgicTwnger** · 05-15-2007, 05:19 PM

Your brother will have to sign a waver before starting the training and will be asked if he has any of a number of medical conditions. If he answers yes to any of these, he will have to get a doctor's consent to dive.
I would suggest that he consult with his cardiologist and another doctor with a knowledge of diving medicine before he even goes to sign up for the course.
No way should he lie to the dive shop about this, he could be playing with fire.

Da Wolf · 05-15-2007, 05:37 PM

Yeah, his regular doc is working on getting him in with a cardiologist right now. He has already signed up for classes and has taken his first class (orientation) and didn't find out about this until then. I have read about other people having something similar to this and having it corrected be diving again (after consultation with doc). And that is what we are hoping for. Just keep y'alls fingures crossed for him, and us.

**Kev Martin** · 05-15-2007, 05:46 PM

wurg splurf!!!
Sorry mate, can't type with my fingers crossed!

Hope all goes well with your brother.

I have a pal who has the same problem. He found himself under a consultant cardiologist (says that it was pretty uncomfortable) but has now had the all clear to dive with only one proviso attached - he must not exceed 20 metres on any dive.

Agree with current advice that he should be 'up front' about his condition as any subsequent dive insurance could be jeopardised if his current condition is not made known.

Safe diving.

**glynneco** · 05-16-2007, 01:22 AM

Call DAN they can advise and recomend a doc. If you
re not a member they will help anyway. But you oughta join. Not being a member is like diving with your air off.

Da Wolf · 05-16-2007, 02:45 AM

Never thought about calling them. Yeah, I just joined the other day.

**Scuba Mama** · 05-16-2007, 03:09 PM

As an instructor here in the states, your brother would be required to have a completed medical. You can not play with a heart condition and you should not lie about it. If his doctor gives the o.k. with out restriction that would be the best. Be aware if he gives an o.k. with restriction it will be up to the individual shop and owners if they will assume the additional risk some may choose not too. With this problem there is no black and white answer.

**Resqdivemedic** · 05-17-2007, 02:05 AM

I believe your brother had whats called a cardiac ablation. This is when a catheter is inseted in a blood vessel in the groin and guided into the heart via real time x-ray. Once the area in the heart is located where the electrical disturbance is, the doc will zap the area with a small amount of current or chemically freeze it to eliminate the problem. Definately seek the advise of a cardiologist and consult with DAN. One test that can answer some questions is an exercise test. The patient is moderatley exurted on a tredmill and will hopefully show no reoccurance of the SVT or any other cardiac signs such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, weakness, or dizziness. As Scuba Mama stated there may be no black or white answer. Good luck and dive safe.

Da Wolf · 06-18-2007, 07:13 PM

Well, we just got the final word in my brother's case. They found out that he has a small hole in one of his heart's valves. They couldn't determine if it was there since birth, or was introduced from his surgery. The only way to tell would to do more tests, which include a night stay in the hospital. So, my brother told them not to do any more tests. He has already spent WAY too much money on it. And he has decided not to pursue this great hobby, because of all the money he has invested into getting his health back to whatever you want call "normal". So, I am now without a dive buddy who I was really looking forward to diving with this July.

**MgicTwnger** · 06-18-2007, 07:29 PM

Sorry to hear that, Wolf. I think he is doing the right thing. PM me if you need help finding dive buddies and I can steer you to a couple of places.