Few Questions Regarding Diving

[JSmith88]

A little background. I was born with some lung deformities, narrowing of the trachea and bronchial tubes, and 2 of 5 lobes are non functioning. I can function well on a daily basis, but Im interested in taking up diving and snorkeling and I worry about the possible ill effects the pressure and depth could have on me.

Doctors have been no help, and I suppose Im just looking for input.

 

[camostore]

I have been diving for years after having a problem with calapsed lung with no problem i stay mainly in shallow depths 50' or less but i would still look for a dr with diver experience. I think PADI may even be able to refer you to a dr that could answer this question better As for snorkeling if you can swim you should have no problem

 

[ousnakebyte]

Have you contacted DAN - Divers Alert Network - about this? They have many experienced physicians, and if they can't answer it for you, then they very well might be able to refer you to someone who can.

There are doctors who can clear you for a "dive medical." I have to get one every 5 years.

Cheers
Mike

 

[camostore]

Hey Mike good call on DAN

 

[JSmith88]

Thanks for the replies. I will check out DAN.

 

[reefinmo]

With your medical history, you will be required to have a doctor sign a medical statement that diving will be safe for you to do. You can definitely contact DAN yourself, but you might also want to have your doctor contact DAN. DAN is an organization run by the Duke Medical School. They know more about diving with medical conditions than anybody in the world, including your local doctor.

 

[psilver]

the Divers Alert Network is the way to go, but bear in mind that they cannot know the details of your condition as well as your doctor... but it would seem that if you can swim a decent length, say for half an hour in a pool, you likely can dive... many general practitioners are not very well informed about diving physiology, so DAN is a good way to go, provided you speak with a real doctor there, and are able to communicate your condition at a somewhat technical level...

The medical form (PADI) that you must complete for a training course includes soem specific descriptions of conditions that are contraindicators for diving, but again, if your doctor does not have a good amount of experience in this field, all is up in the air...

DAN can be reached at 919-684-2948 (non-emergency number)

Hope that helps...

 

[Urchinhead]

Piling on with contacting or having your doctor contact DAN or if he/you isn't up for that then you could reach out to one of the local hospitals in your area that specializes in diving medicine. For example in my area that would be USC, Scripps, and Harbor UCLA hospitals.