{"id":6435,"date":"2019-12-13T11:38:33","date_gmt":"2019-12-13T11:38:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kooxdiving.com\/en\/?p=6435"},"modified":"2020-01-14T09:24:34","modified_gmt":"2020-01-14T09:24:34","slug":"can-you-scuba-dive-with-asthma","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kooxdiving.com\/en\/can-you-scuba-dive-with-asthma\/","title":{"rendered":"Can You Scuba Dive With Asthma?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Can You Scuba Dive With Asthma?<\/h1>\n

Asthma is a respiratory disorder that causes spasm attacks in the bronchi of the lungs \u2013 making it difficult to breathe. It\u2019s often related to an allergic reaction or other types of sensitivity. The symptoms of asthma include shortness of breath, a tightening in the chest, coughing, and wheezing. At its worst, this can be life-threatening.<\/p>\n

So, can asthmatics scuba dive? Find out more here\u2026<\/p>\n

Getting a license<\/h2>\n

\"get<\/p>\n

Before scuba diving with asthma, you\u2019ll need to get consent from a licensed physician who specialises in scuba asthma. Your personal health will be taken into account to ensure this is a safe activity for you. The key factor is whether your asthma is under control.<\/p>\n

Physical tests are essential to determine the fitness of your lungs \u2013 and establish that there isn\u2019t any weakness or poor condition. There are regulated investigations that must be carried out to evaluate lung health and these tests to see if you can scuba dive with asthma include:<\/p>\n

Bronchial Agitation<\/b> \u2013 saline water is aspirated into the lungs which are then tested by variables for lung reaction<\/p>\n

Peak Flow<\/b> \u2013 a simple peak flow meter may be used to get results from breathing into a machine \u2013 it measures how fast you can blow air out of your lungs and how open the airways are. If the measurement doesn\u2019t vary this indicates that the asthma is controlled<\/p>\n

Spirometry<\/b> \u2013 evaluating lung function by inhaling completely and exhaling for as long and as hard as possible into this machine<\/p>\n

Exercise<\/b> \u2013 using the results from the spirometry or peak flow tests to establish before and after exercise statistics<\/p>\n

Post-Bronchial Dilator<\/b> \u2013 assessing the effectiveness of asthma-controlling medication which can then be approved for diving<\/p>\n

Asthma stress test<\/b> \u2013 this test will be carried out after a summary from your GP has been studied. The test recreates the conditions you may experience underwater whilst breathing compressed air from a Scuba tank whilst pedalling on an exercise bike. Lung test function will be carried out and analysed before and after to detect whether an asthma attack may be triggered by diving.<\/p>\n

Other major considerations that will be taken into account include what triggers a major asthma attack. If this is allergen related it isn\u2019t considered a risk. However, if the tests prove that the attack is bought on by physical activity you will probably be advised not to go ahead.<\/p>\n

Pre-Asthma Stress Test Guidelines<\/h2>\n

\"Diving<\/p>\n

For an asthma stress test you\u2019ll need to:<\/p>\n