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Scuba Diving

IslesCass

IslesCass

Active Member
Messages
26
Type of diabetes
Parent
Treatment type
I do not have diabetes
Hi

Just wondering if anyone as T1 has been scuba diving?

My son is 12 and very sporty and as his mum I am trying to make sure that his T1 does not stop him doing anything. Earlier this year he wanted to do his PADI but we said let’s wait till we go to Jamaica.

Health & holiday insurance have covered him however the clinical manager at the hospital has said that T1’s should never dive it’s not suitable for them.

I have done a fair bit of research which suggests he can. I am trying to be responsible but don’t want this to stop him doing anything that he likes.

Just wondered if anyone on here is a scuba diver and has any advice.

Isles
 
Heya @IslesCass

Please do not listen to the clinical manager, that's nonsense. A type 1 can dive but a little preparation is required, I have done my PADI but before my t1 diagnosis, I simply haven't had the chance to dive since, but it wouldn't stop me if I did want to go, I have a partner who prefers skiing so we end up doing that every year instead of a sunny holiday :shifty:

Here's a recent thread on the subject which is useful for you to read: https://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/th...s-and-scuba-diving.163751/page-2#post-2039437

Here's what I wrote previously in this thread, however ignore the bit about alcohol !!

Understanding what I do about diving, then it is possible to dive but taking care to observe a few things, firstly dives generally last around 30-40 minutes, new divers tend to use the oxygen up quicker as they are not used to breathing deeply under water and can be anxious so tanks last for shorter times. So you really only have less than an hour between blood glucose checks which isn't too long and as long as you've got a plan on how to manage your levels then it shouldn't stop you. You always dive in a group or with a buddy and there are lots of checks under water to make sure your buddy is ok so communication is closely observed. I would also recommend avoiding alcohol in the 24 hours before the dive.

It's a good idea to dive on the high side, what you are unable to account for until you are in the water is what the temperature will be, if it's pretty cold then your body will use more glucose in the process of keeping your body warm, so best to dive without any quick acting insulin on board, I would also have a biscuit, small snack or easier still some chocolate before going down to help keep levels up, it's best to work on the theory of keeping high and correcting a high after the dive rather than worrying about going low whilst below. Also you may not feel yourself going hypo in the water if it's cold, there's alot going on down there and your in a foreign environment, so staying high will provide a good buffer to avoid a potential hypo.

Also speak to the dive club before you go to check your t1 status, some may not allow t1's as they're not covered in their insurance, others may simply want assurance you are tightly controlled and have a plan on how to accomplish the dive before you go down.

I haven't dived with type 1, but this is the plan I would follow if I had the chance to dive again.
 
WOW what an opportunity for the young lad. I did a try dive last year in Turkey. Told the dive master that I was type 1 and he said as long as my bloods were ok then he would take me down. I had to show him what my bloods were before I went in. To be honest I really don't think he knew anything about diabetes. As long as you tell the dive master and your son is in control of his diabetes I can't see why he cant do his PADI
 
IslesCass said:
Hi

Just wondering if anyone as T1 has been scuba diving?

My son is 12 and very sporty and as his mum I am trying to make sure that his T1 does not stop him doing anything. Earlier this year he wanted to do his PADI but we said let’s wait till we go to Jamaica.

Health & holiday insurance have covered him however the clinical manager at the hospital has said that T1’s should never dive it’s not suitable for them.

I have done a fair bit of research which suggests he can. I am trying to be responsible but don’t want this to stop him doing anything that he likes.

Just wondered if anyone on here is a scuba diver and has any advice.

Isles
Click to expand...

Hi, I hope your son can go scuba diving, it does sound great and a fantastic opportunity too.
Happy holidays to you all :)
 
Thanks guys he did a taster session last year and was very keen to do this. He has a skiing trip booked with school for February (I’m terrified) but think it is so important that he fits in and feels normal his emotions are all over the place and he just wants to be in his words normal.

I will speak to his DN and see what she says and also check out the PADI centre.

X
 
My post’s the final one in the thread @Juicyj has signposted and I’ll adjust what I said for a 12 year old.
@IslesCass you don’t mention how confident your son is in looking after his T1, what his blood sugar awareness is like or whether he is the kind of personality to stay calm and make a decision that may run counter to what he’d really like to do.
All the diving situations I’ve been in have shown me how important it is to stay calm, and to be methodical. A good instructor will say the same to their pupils.
A good instructor will also keep a very close eye on their pupils. It’s essential that they are told what to be aware of with someone who’s T1, and in my opinion they would also need to know about blood sugar testing and how to recognise if your son goes low. There may be special physical and behavioural signs that yourself you are aware of.
I expect his first experience would either be in a pool or in the sea. Maybe you could be at the side of the pool, or on the boat, snorkelling or swimming if it’s in the sea?
Since he’s sporty you probably already know what exercise does to his blood sugars. However, it’s hard to correct underwater and I used to begin a dive much higher than I normally like to be, at 11 or 12. By the time the dive was over I’d usually come down again to 5ish. I used to have a sweet or glucose tab before I went in even if I was 12 and I always had lucozade waiting for me on the boat. I’d test again after I’d removed fins and mask and before I took off my wetsuit and weight belt. This was with finger prick testing. A libre would need very good protective waterproof covering that’d also save it from being dislodged.
If it were my T1 child then think the decision about whether they learned to dive or not would depend on my knowledge of the child and an assessment of the instructor’s ability to swiftly gain an understanding of some key T1 safety needs. Most of the ones I’ve met were very good at taking it on board, some less good. An instructor, all good divers in fact, want to take care of the divers they’re in the water with.
 
HI i have had type 1 since the age of 3 .over the years i have been told you should not do that many times .over the 46 years i have had type 1 i have becom a black belt in several marshal arts lernt to water ski and teach it .i have scuba dived .wos not for me .i ride motorcycles etc etc so if you make sure yore levels are right dont go in half cocked you can do anything .maybe not world mars bar eating champ !
 
Hi my son Has type 1 he was 15 when diagnosed since then he has gone on to do his scuba dive padi course..... to dive in the Uk you have to go through the UKDMC and get a medical form signed..... my son said diving is amazing so long as your sons can control his diabetes it shouldn’t stop him doing anything..... this week my son is windsurfing and next weekend he is taking his Paddlesports instructors course..... x
 
Hi guys thanks for all the advice it’s helped loads, I am speaking to his DN tomorrow to discuss, I am going to look into him doing his PADI here in the UK xx
 
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