Research – Frequently Asked Questions on Diving Medicine

Frequently Asked Questions on Diving Medicine

Here’s a list compiled over the years of commonly asked questions. The list was created by DAN MDs and represent specific, evidence-based recommendations our member should take into consideration.

  • Medical Questions

I am currently on holiday in Indonesia and have come down with an allergic reaction with my eyes and a rash on my skin. The doctor prescribed dexamethasone 0.5 mg x 3 a day and Piriton (chlorphenamine) 4 mg x 3 a day. My eyes aren’t swollen anymore but are still a bit itchy and a bit dry. The rash is also improving but I am comfortable diving with it as it doesn’t itch and the water doesn’t irritate it. I was wondering if I am able to dive on any of these medications and if not how long do I need to wait once I have stopped taking them?

ANSWER FROM DAN EXPERTS

You should not be diving until you have recovered and no longer on your acute medication (Dexamethasone and Piriton), Piriton in particular could have side effects dangerous in diving. Also a flare-up of the allergy while diving may affect organ systems such as the lungs and airways and can result in a serious accident.

I had a severe allergic reaction to peanuts last night, with anaphylactic shock. I was hospitalized for the night but released this morning since the symptoms had receded. I work as a divemaster and wanted to check with you how long I should wait before going back to diving. I was given betametason and 300 mg of adrenalin (epipen) immediately, and then once again 15 min later when waiting for the ambulance. Symptoms included oral swelling and itching, nausea, and stomach cramps, elevated heart rate, swelling of nasal mucosal membranes, dizziness, and difficulty breathing. At hospital I was given Fendramin (diphenidramine) and Solu-Cortef (hydrocortisone) intravenously along with IV fluids (ringer acetate).

ANSWER FROM DAN EXPERTS

Anaphylactic shock is an acute event which once treated and full recovery occurs will not alter diver fitness status unless the acute illness caused long term sequelae such as hypoxic organ damage.Therefore, based on what you report and assuming that your body has not suffered any consequences as a result of your acute illness and you are now fully recovered and medication free, I see no reason, once you have been discharged completely from the hospital, for you not to return to diving.

I am a dive instructor. I would like some clarification regarding a case of ‘Idiopathic Angioedema’. A person interested in starting a course suffers from it and has been taking Tranex (tranexamic acid) 500 mg twice a day, Aerius (desloratadine) 5 mg twice a day, Atarax (hydroxyzine dihydrochloride) 25 mg once a day for about a year. Are there any interactions or consequences between these drugs and diving?

ANSWER FROM DAN EXPERTS

The interaction of the allergy specialist who is treating you for angioedema and the diving and hyperbaric medicine specialist will be key in determining your suitability for diving.

As far as drug therapy is concerned, there are no particular incompatibilities of the active ingredient desloratadine (assess possible drowsiness after intake). Tranex is generally well tolerated and causes few side effects, but its anti-haemorrhagic action, especially on the platelet components of coagulation, could facilitate platelet aggregation on gas bubbles, so an increase in decompression risk cannot be ruled out and, if diving is to be undertaken, this must be kept within limits of absolute caution, significantly moderating depth and dwell times. For Atarax, on the other hand, the possible sedative side effects are worth mentioning. During a dive, these could undermine the diver’s safety.

As a first step, it will therefore be necessary to get a clear medical opinion from the allergy specialist about the clinical condition; if he wishes, he can forward us the official medical documentation regarding angioedema. It will then be important to evaluate the specialist’s response and the therapy taken with the diving and hyperbaric medicine expert.

 

RELATED ALERT DIVER ARTICLES:

Medications and Fitness to Dive

RELATED SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS:

National Library of Medicine

Venous gas emboli are involved in post-dive macro, but not microvascular dysfunction

I have an allergy to latex. Is “any” part of the diver’s equipment made with latex? I am interested in taking up the sport, but if there is any latex involved, I can’t.

ANSWER FROM DAN EXPERTS

The overwhelming majority of diving equipment uses either silicone or neoprene rubber. Latex is most often used in what are known as dry suits. These exposure suits have water-tight seals at the neck and wrists. This where you would find the majority of latex, but this is not an entry-level issue. There are pieces of accessory equipment that are made of latex, but there are many alternatives that are made of other materials. You have a great deal of control with latex exposure with your own equipment. However, when you are diving from a resort, especially a dive boat, incidental encounters with latex are certainly possible. The severity of your allergic reactions needs to be considered as the best indicator of whether diving would be an appropriate pursuit. Please feel free to contact our medical division if you have any further questions. Also your local dive shops are a good resource for discussing specific equipment issues.

 

RELATED ALERT DIVER ARTICLES:

Latex allergies and diving equipment

Showing 71 - 75 of 201 entries.