I have allergy related asthma, which I treat with a broncodialator. I did visit an allergist who is also a certified scuba MD (or whatever that designation is) that was recommended by PADI. He did the tests, which I passed, but still discouraged me from diving. His advice, you are on vacation, why threaten your life?

I have reluctantly settled for snorkeling, and visited many of the best "diving" locations, including Bonaire. My itch remains unscratched. My experience has been that the change of climate usually results in the cessation of any breathing problems and consequently, I don't need my inhalor.

My question is, what is your advice for someone in my situation. Am I really threatening my life? Is there some way I can safely try scuba? Is there no way around this dilema? I respect the expertise on this board immensely and would so appreciate your feedback...

I will be coming back to bonaire scuba or no, but would love to try...

Thanks,

Janie

Janie,

Check with DAN - Divers Alert Network - to see what comments they may have on the subject.

I'm certainly not a doctor, and definitely not about to tell you to contradict what your doctor tells you, but then again, it's well within your rights to get a second opinion (look for a diving doctor).

Jake

Here is an article in scubadiving.com

article

sorry I will fix a little latter or go to www.scubadiving.com/training/medicine/asthma.shtml

try this...

article

Also go to DAN Articles

Barry,

THANK YOU SO MUCH for taking the time to post the link to that very informative article. I also perused DAN and read a couple of very helpful articles as well as a few posts from divers with asthma.

I think it is time to go back to my Dr. and have a few more tests...

Thanks again for your generous response.

Janie,

I have allergy-related asthma too, and just came back from a wonderful Bonaire dive trip.

My doctor was cautious, but said I could dive IF I was very strict about using Aerobid twice a day (it worked very well), and antihistames / decongestants as needed, as well. One surprise: I did need the latter two every day - don't know if that was due to mold populations or some other allergens, but the stuffies were still in the picture.

I'll be eager to hear what your doctor says - one thing I did find is that I personally don't feel the need to go awfully deep when all the pretty stuff is at 20-40 feet!

Good luck!

As stated before in other postings, I would call one of the DAN (Diver's Alert Network) doctors. Here is their website address http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/

I was diagnosed with asthma last fall, after doing 320 dives in 10 years. My new physician, who is also an avid diver and has been away on dive trips with us, feels that I have probably had this condition all the while I've been diving, but have been treating it as allergies. Last fall it just "got worse." We cancelled a 3-week trip to Palau-Yap-Kosrae as I was too physced out to go ahead with it. But with proper medication and being symptom-free, we did do 30 dives in Grand Cayman in February. My M.D. says that I'm probably safer diving now than before I knew that I was asthmatic as I now monitor my breathing and medication very carefully and have had far few "allergy" incidents than in the past 10 years. In our month in Bonaire, Jan 2002, I intend to be VERY careful, but will consider it a poor vacation if I don't do another minimum 50 dives!