Coran

Does it affect at all? I got a childhood asthma history but it has not come back since 10 years ago. Would I need to still go to the doctor and get it checked up?

Makatza

Better consult a doctor on that. But if you think of it, doctors can only give you an estimate on what they think. Do you think you are up to it? That is the more important question.

Naid

There is really no "FIT certification" for diving.
It all depends on you and your cyrrent state of mind and body at the point of time. If you are unwell, please don't dive, or in that matter engage in any physical activities.

Dubhdarach

True, it all depends on do you feel your body can take that kind of heavy physical activity? Do you think you can handle the panicks (if at all arises)? A doctor can only treat you as long as you are still alive!!!!

limbo

Great to know Yeah am going to discuss this with my doctor before doing it. Hopefully he will give me an ok.

scuba jerm

Coran,

Going to the doctor for before getting certified is always a good idea.. whether it be a physical or whatever. I had asthma as a kid too, and I've never felt like I had any problem underwater. I wouldn't worry about it too much.

__________________
Scuba Jerm

Mantas

i have a light form of asthma and allthough i've not been diving for long (just about 6 months) i've never had problems with it before, never realy saw it as a problem to be honest

rick00001967

hi. this is my first time here and i am interested in all the discussions about asthma and diving. i have had asthma all my life. i am 39 yrs old now. i have been cert for about 15 years and have about 100 dives or so. here are my thoughts for what it is worth.....
as anyone with "real" asthma knows, there are varying degrees of the condition. just as saying someone has cancer does not tell you anything about their condition, so it is true for asthma. i happen to have what i consider a mild condition that only gives me trouble under certain circumstances. if i am sick and have lung congestion, if i overexert myself physically (sometimes), even a drastic change in air temperature (going from a warm home out into 40 below weather) can cause problems. (i live in canada by the way) some friends of mine have VERY severe cases and have atacks for no reason at all. it can be too unpredictable for them.
my point is this....each of us should know our bodies well enough to know when it is ok to dive or not. no doctor in the world can tell me whether it is ok to dive because the condition is only a problem when an attack occurs and that is a very personal thing. obviously if an attack were to happen at depth, the risk for some type of blockage in the lungs or even certain blood vessels is greatly increased. this is a risk that must be managed as all risks must be.
of course staying in good physical condition is a no brainer as well as not smoking.
in my case, i have NEVER had a problem with my condition and diving and i have been in some tense situations under water. in accual fact it can be the adrenilin released during a high stess situation that prevents an attack from occurring.
i am not trying to "down play" the dangers of diving with asthma. i believe however that it is only one of many things a good diver must be aware of and prepared for. you must take personal responsibility for yourself as always and use good judgement. your buddy should also be aware of your condition so they can decide whether it is something they are ok with.
hope some of this might help. appreciate your thoughts.
rick from canada EH!!!!

Resqdivemedic

Check out my post in health and safety about asthma and diving. What once was a sport that asthmatics could not participate in is now much more conservitive on the views about asthma and diving. Keep checking both DAN and BSCA for updates and recommendations. Also, I just saw a new regulator which has not hit the market yet designed for asthmatics. It has a chamber on the side of the second stage where an inhaler is inserted. If the diver experiences an attack underwater, they can use the inhaler. I for one am not a fan of this especially with little or no studies on the effects of any medications under pressure. Thoughts or concerns?

rick00001967

wow....isn`t that something. what will they think of next. i my self think it is ridiculous to have the ability to medicate yourself at depth. i totally agree with you about that. who knows what could happen to that medication in your blood and lungs under extreme pressure. i would say that if a diver is that concerned he/she might have an attack underwater then they should not be diving .....period! thx rick
ps.....i would love to see that reg design though. let me know if you see it online. do you know who is the manufacturer