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Diving Bonaire: Diabetic Divers
Bonaire Talk: Diving Bonaire: Archives: Archives 1999-2005: Archives - 2001-09-01 to 2002-05-23: Diabetic Divers
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Stefanie Adams on Wednesday, May 8, 2002 - 8:24 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I would appreciate information about whether dive boats are willing to have well controlled diabetic divers dive with them.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Meryl Virga on Wednesday, May 8, 2002 - 11:50 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

From when we took our diving course we had to sigh forms showing we were in good health to participate in this sport....do you have documents of this nature? How Physically fit are you....I know from what experience I have in Medicine and a history of Diabetes in our family that the only real "cure" if you want to call it that is runnig.....I'm sure swimming must be a benefit to the disease suppresion....Have you checked with your physician on this matter...? With the proper wavers from a Physician ,,,I'm sure a dive facility would be willing to work with you and assess you skill and endurance levels....

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dean Botsford on Thursday, May 9, 2002 - 6:39 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Stefanie, I have been diabetic for a whole bunch of years. Two shots a day. When I went to become certified, my Doctor signed off on my ability to 'control' my disease. That said, as a diabetic, you have to be even more aware of how your body 'is' before a dive and after. You have to be ready to abort a dive if the situation warrents it (as you would for rough seas, currents or other situations beyond your skill/comfort levels).

You have to make sure to closely monitor your glucose level, pre and post dive. Dehydration can be a more severe problem for the diabetic diver so you must make sure to drink enough. If you have a regular dive buddy, he/she should be aware of your disease and familiar with the signs of hypoglycemia.

Follow all the above and you should be fine.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Stefanie Adams on Thursday, May 9, 2002 - 9:43 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Stefanie replies: My son is a well controlled diabetic (juvenile, insulin dependent diabetes,not type 2 in which diet and exercise can sometimes control the condition). He is already certified and has been diving in our home area. The question is... do dive operations in Bonaire take diabetic divers on their boat dives and what do they require (e.g. doctors letter of support). Information would be GREATLY appreciated!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jake Richter - NetTech on Thursday, May 9, 2002 - 9:47 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Stefanie,

As long as a doctor says it's okay, and your son (or you if he is a minor) sign a liability release with the dive operation in question (and all diveshops require these of all divers), you should not have any problems.

Jake

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Glen Reem on Thursday, May 9, 2002 - 12:12 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Stephanie,

The dive op at Divi has been a host to the Boston-based Moray Wheels Adaptive Scuba Club and the HSA, both of which which include diabetics, many times; perhaps an email directly to them would get you assurance that your son can dive. Or email any other op you have chosen.

The Wheels web page is at http://www.moraywheels.org/

The Handicapped Scuba Association site is http://www.hsascuba.com/

As Jake said, I am sure you will have no trouble getting your son in the water on Bonaire.

 


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