[hels]

I wasn't too sure where to put this thread!

I am an advanced diver and was wondering if anyone else is a diver with diabetes and would like to share some of your experiences?

I took my PADI qualification 6 years ago and then last year went on to do the advanced. When I am diving I find that the instructors have little understanding of diabetes and get a bit concerned to start with. I try to take the time to explain and to reassure those with me but there have been occassions when others have panicked through lack of understanding. I have a good buddy who knows what to do if I should have a hypo but I tend to run my sugars high so that there is little risk of this.

My most frightening experience was with a tiger shark rather than the problems with my diabetes!

[hels]

No divers then

Does anyone do any sort of extreme sport and how do you manage your diabetes?

[Simon]

Hi,

Yes I am or at least was a diver until being diagnosed as diabetic. I'm currently having to wait a year before being allowed to get back in the water.

I've returned to potholing as my main source of adventure since it's not quite so overun with beurocrats as diving and I'm allowed to judge for myself how safe I am etc.

[SugaryOne]

I tried to start diving but was told 'no' by my doctor. I'm in good control (A1c is 6.6) but she was worried about me diving too deep and not being able to get to surface quick enough for a hypo.

YSCUBA is finally allowing diabetic divers now, but there are no training facilities close enough to my residence. I'm kinda bummed about the whole ordeal.

[Simon]

If your doctor tells you you shouldn't dive even though you're well controlled I would find another doctor.

[Georgia]

I find the thought of d.s diving scary. What happened with the tiger shark?

[DeusXM]

If I were you I'd transfer from PADI to BSAC. BSAC has a full system designed to incorporate divers with diabetes, including specialised medical referees.

I can sympathise with instructors being nervous because diving is one of those sports which you're 'not supposed to do' with diabetes - it's one of the most dangerous conditions to dive with. However, you're already aware that this isn't the case. The best you can really do is present your certificate of medical fitness to dive.

As for doctors - utimately it's not 'your' doctor that can tell you whether you can dive or not. You should consult a doctor that specialises in sports medicals. Most ordinary doctors will know nothing of what's actually involved in diving, including the fact that it's one of the least demanding sports in terms of energy expenditure. The whole point of diving is to try and minimize your movements in order to minimise your breathing.

[byu barry]

I'm a diver. PADI (advanced) about eight years. Being a T2, I never told anyone about the big D but I never tell anyone anyway. I just hope they never have to hook me to a sugar drip. I've never really thought about diving as a T1. Seems to me too many things can go wrong already without throwing hypo's in the mix but if you have a buddy who knows what is going on and what to do..Heck go for it. BTW, how do you treat a hypo at 100 feet anyway?

Outside of the the Cudas still making me a little nervous, I suppose my scariest experience was my initial certification. It was about that time I realized I was so deep that I couldn't make it to the top without my SCUBA equipment. After the fear went away it was the neatest thing I've ever done.

I dive Louisiana offshore and Florida mostly.

My quote...."Always remember you are not wearing sporting goods but life support".

[Dewey]

At the time I got certified, I wasn't on the pump, but had a great trainer. He worked with smaller groups of people, making it easier to give personal attention, should the need arise. All the students worked as a group (i.e. the buddy system) to ensure one another was safe & ok. We did open water diving in the Atlantic, as well as in local rivers/lakes. I must say that ocean diving can be a little more frightening, as there are multiple factors to deal with (i.e. sharks, choppy waters, etc.).

I am still PADI certified & occasionally dive, but not nearly as often as I'd like to (or used to). It's definitely enjoyable. In terms of others, it's good to go with your buddy (preferrably the one who has the most understanding about your Diabetes & you), but if that's not possible, I'd say find another person who's willing to take the time to learn & help you if needed.

[Simon]

The medical standards for diabetics diving in the UK can be found at:

http://www.uksdmc.co.uk/standards/St...20diabetes.htm

I have been told by a PADI rep that these standards are used by them for those diving with schools in the UK. BSAC (the agency I trained with) certainly uses them.

Hypo's can be treated underwater and it is a requirement that diabetic divers here should carry a form of carbohydrate they can ingest underwater and practice taking it regularly. Tubes of icing sugar or sealed cartons of sports drinks are options.

Hypo's are not the only concern though as high blood sugar can also cause dehydration which increases your chances of the bends.

[DeusXM]

As a note on the first point of the regs, most doctors are also reasonably flexible. In my experience, what I'd define as a hypo and what the medical establishment define it as are two very different things. Doctors seem to consider a hypo to be an incident of low blood sugar that incapacitates you. whereas I've always considered a hypo to be when I get a bit hungry below 4mmol/l.

The irony is that the tighter your control, the less likely you may be allowed to dive. Those with A1Cs below 6 are likely to be considered as running nearer hypo territory and so might be refused a medical. Those between 6 and 7 will probably be considered to be well-controlled but with a greater margin for error.

[byu barry]

Interesting Simon...Never though of a relationship between hyper and the bends although all divers are taught to stay well hydrated. Another question. If you are diving with a diabetic and he/she begins to act erratic, do you assume they are hypo rather than having cylinder contamination, nitrosis or oxygen poisoning? Sounds like a good course you guys have taken.

[Simon]

Cylinder contamination is exremely rare and would probably effect other divers in the party as well. Diabetics are restricted to 30m so nitrogen narcosis is also very unlikely. If the diabetic is using nitrox at a very rich mix then oxygen toxicity is possible though again very rare. It may be dangerous to lift a diver convulsing; be it either oxygen toxicity or a hypo - a burst lung may result. It is unlikely though that a diabetic diver would not recognise and treat a hypo long before they got to the convulsing stage. Oxygen is standard first aid in any diving incident and should be given for a bad hypo as well if available. If the casualty starts to convulse after being given it then take them off it until they stop then put them back on to treat any bend they may have in addition to the oxygen toxicity this would indicate.

This all sound pretty horrific but I should add that in the UK, there have been no incidents involving bad hypo's in the last 10 years and only 2 involving slight hypos where the divers simply surfaced feeling slightly light headed.

[someone]

That is a bit rediculous, just make sure you are slightly on the high side before you go.

[Simon]

We all know it's rediculous but try telling that to the insurance companies who refuse to give you liability insurance if you don't meet the standards and the committees that make up these rules based on no data and poor understanding of what real diabetic management entails.:****mate: