Question for the divers....

JSP · 22 December 2009, 14:42

Diving is something I've always wanted to try ever since I got a Job working in the Northern diver factory in my early teens. Was told I couldn't do it due to having a small hole in my heart.
But I was wondering, is there any kind of diving I could do? I'm not sure of the ins and out's but I guess I'm restricted to pressure?

Leapy · 22 December 2009, 14:45

This could go downhill rapidly...

chewy · 22 December 2009, 14:53

You have to have a medical which you'll more than likely fail.
You could do snorkelling, granted its not diving but its alot cheaper and less chance of you pegging it!

Shouldn't be long before we're in the bilges!

paul holder · 22 December 2009, 14:54

these holes are cald shunts look at the bsac sites as this is discussed on aon going basis

two stroke mick · 22 December 2009, 14:55

I assume that you are reffering to PFO. PFO will not preclude you from diving if the hole is small.
http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/me...p?articleid=50
http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/me...p?articleid=70

TSM

JSP · 22 December 2009, 15:00

Ok before we go on, please can no one use the word Muff in any of the replies.

I know naff all about this so please excuse a silly question. What depth is it possible to go to with no risk of extra pressure on the old ticker?

And before anyone says, I know we all have a hole in the heart but I've got an extra one due an operation in my early teens.

Cheers

Pablo · 22 December 2009, 15:35

I personnally also had a hole in my heart. I was operated on as a baby. The hole prevented one the valves from closing if that is any help to you. "Inter ventricrical" or somethings like that. Is there a docter in the house? I now coach freediving and regularly go past 25 meters depth. This does not mean however that you are in the same case a me.

What i'd suggest is that you go a see a BSAC recognised doctor with all the information you might have about your condition and ask that doctor what he/she thinks.

Personally I never really enjoyed bottle diving. Too much time wasted for not alot of time in the water. Try a bit of snorkelling to start with. You can be a lot more descret and see things that bottle divers will never see.

biffer · 22 December 2009, 15:39

they wont let you dive old mate, although sport diving is a walk in the park i wouldn't put my self though it if there was any chance that something could go wrong

JSP · 22 December 2009, 15:45

Is inter ventricular where the hole is between the left and right ventricle? Sorry, off topic but that stuff interest me.

Mine is in the wall of the left ventricle where the surgeon burned part of the myocardial wall away to stop a 'short circuit'
I know if I ask the doc (or the prof in my case) the answer will be a big NO! but things have turned out a bit bleak with my health. And I don't want to be unfit to do absolutely nothing and full of regrets. Divings' on the list of things to do.

JSP · 22 December 2009, 15:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by biffer

they wont let you dive old mate, although sport diving is a walk in the park i wouldn't put my self though it if there was any chance that something could go wrong

Thing is mate, 'They' wont know

chewy · 22 December 2009, 15:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSP

Divings' on the list of things to do.

Along with two certain other "things".

JSP · 22 December 2009, 15:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by chewy

Along with two certain other "things".

Two? Come on lad! The lists as long as my arm!

BTW, anyone know of a lady who can fire ping pong balls? Me love her long time!

chewy · 22 December 2009, 16:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSP

Two? Come on lad! The lists as long as my arm!

BTW, anyone know of a lady who can fire ping pong balls? Me love her long time!

You'll work it out eventually... what the two things are.

JSP · 22 December 2009, 16:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by chewy

You'll work it out eventually... what the two things are.

biffer · 22 December 2009, 17:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSP

Thing is mate, 'They' wont know

i know where your'e coming from, but i can't in all concience say go for it, my brother who's got the brain of a turnip just brought the gear and jumped in the sea, he's still alive, they make a big thing over hear about diver training but abroad you can do a try dive almost anywhere if you know what i'm getting at

jyasaki · 22 December 2009, 19:45

Do the smart thing: Go see a doctor (preferably one who knows something about diving), and get yourself checked out. With a medical OK, you'll be in the same boat as anyone else who wants to start diving.

If you don't get the OK, well, at least you'll know.

jky

BruceB · 22 December 2009, 20:28

If your health is in any way suspect get a medical first. Too many folk die in the UK when stress gets the better of them underwater. Lack of dive and general fitness even among regular divers gets a number of folk around April in the "silly season"
I would also say that if you are diving with anyone, and most organisations recommend buddy diving, that if you have a problem underwater the odds are that you have a good chance of taking your buddy with you. Folk understandaby take a poor view of this possibility.
Diving isn't rocket science but it is not an armchair sport either, there is a fair amount of physical effort involved diving in the UK simply caused by conditions and the kit required. the video of a recent trip shows how much kit can be required (although you can get away with considerably less the drysuit and weightbelt and de rigeur)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WY7R5o4-eW8

PFO's, if that what you have, can be cured in a lot of cases and a large percentage of the population have one to a greater of lesser degree. The disavantage of having one is that you are also at a greater risk of decompression sickness and believe me you don't want this either because of the immediate effects and issues or the possibility of permanent damage.
I am speaking through personal experience of myself and others that ghiding a medical condition will just catch up with you and clubs and trainers will take a very dim view, to say nothing of any qualifications probably being invalidated.
The short answer is don't do it in the UK unless you have a medical and be careful abroad where at least the effort required in holiday resorts is likely to be considerably less and more tolerable.

willk · 22 December 2009, 21:35

A lad I know well is in a similar situation. He has a headful of metal plates and screws. Diving is a no-no. However, he's relatively fit and does a quiet spot of SCUBA in the 3-8 meter range. He's got no risks from Deco and less than a BAR of extra pressure to contend with. Frankly, I think he often sees more life on the dives too. Your problem will be finding someone you can dive with... You could simply go for a try dive and stay shallow.

I'm not sure you'd like diving though. And then there's the hairy mary diver wimmin

Generally, they have to show ID just to get into the Ladies showers

BruceB · 22 December 2009, 22:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

I'm not sure you'd like diving though. And then there's the hairy mary diver wimmin

Generally, they have to show ID just to get into the Ladies showers

If you come to the IOM my missus wants a quiet word, I am sure the knuckleduster she was looking for earlier was just a coincidence.................

willk · 23 December 2009, 00:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by BruceB

If you come to the IOM my missus wants a quiet word, I am sure the knuckleduster she was looking for earlier was just a coincidence.................

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

And then there's the hairy mary diver wimmin

Generally, they have to show ID just to get into the Ladies showers

I've seen your missus. She doesn't look like she needs a harness to hold her weights up