Use of anti-anxiety drugs while diving

glindansk · 06-28-2007, 03:38 PM

I realize that common wisdom probably does not condone any use of any anti-anxiety drugs while diving, but can anyone direct me to any scientific articles or literature on subject ? There are some benzodiazepines that are known not to impair judgement or alertness and if they can reduce risk of panic attacks (single biggest cause of diving fatalities) while diving, I'm not sure I understand the general averseness to their use for diving - unless there are some compelling physiological reasons.
Many thanks for any guidance on this.

MgicTwnger · 06-28-2007, 08:31 PM

Here is what DAN says:

Benzodiazepines

Medications in this group used to treat anxiety include: Alprazolam / Xanax, Chlordiazepoxide / Librium, Clonazepam / Klonopin, Clorazepate / Tranxene, Diazepam / Valium, Halazepam / Paxipam, Lorazepam / Ativan, Oxazepam / Serax, Prazepam / Centrax.

Side effects adverse to diving:

Drowsiness: A common side effect. Be sure you know how you react to this medicine before driving or using dangerous machinery.
Dizziness: Be careful about standing up quickly, going up and down stairs and driving.
Difficulty learning: An unusual side effect, it tends to go away quickly with continued use.

The whole article: http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/me...p?articleid=38

bookboarder · 07-01-2007, 09:19 PM

I would imagine that you'd also want to be alert rather than the laid back feeling you get from those medications. I was just given a valium before a medical procedure a couple of months ago.... Let me tell you, I was pretty loopy, I definitely wouldn't feel up to diving. I understand that with habitual use, this effect might lessen, but there has to still be some of that effect underlying, even if you don't 'notice' it. HTH.