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Scuba Diving

B

brianb

Well-Known Member
Messages
151
Location
Hebburn, Tyne and Wear
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi All
Im a type 2, diet/exercise controlled diagnosed about 7 weeks ago

I used to go scuba diving a few years ago and i have got it into my head i want to start diving again.

Are there any of you diabetics out there who are Divers? I know some dive sites say you cant dive because of te risk of a hypo under water BUT as im not on medication this should be imposssible.

I have read on some info pages that the increased pressure and cold(UK DIVING is always cold)can send you into a hypo.

Im 42, My weight is 14st 12, down from 16 stone, My morning fasting BG is normally about 7 and during the day they are about 5.6 rising to about 9ish 1 hour after meals and then returning to about 6 mark 2.5 hours after meals SO fairly normal i would say.

Can anyone advise me? Am i able to go diving, the exercise envolved would be great.

Thanks
Brian

Oh by the way i live in Tyne and Wear, ANY local divers?
 
Brian hi i am T2got my Padi open ticket in Teneriffe 2006, Was diagnosed at the time and spoke to my GP. There were no problems that he could think of. And had a check-up B4 doing the course. The best bet is to get yourself checked out. I live on South Coast but havnt dived in UK waters - too cold :-(

Dave P
 
Hi Brian,

I got my PADI a few years back out in the Maldives. My god, but sea there is something else. Anyway, I'm type 1 and it hasn't stopped me from diving at all. If you're type 2 it should be even less of a problem since hypo's are less of an issue for you guys.
I always tell the dive guides beforehand, test my bg before diving, and everything's fine and dandy.

I've never dived in UK waters, for all the obvious reasons, although the west coast of Scotland is apparently not too bad/cold/polluted. Reckon I can wait until Greece this summer!

All the best,

fergus
 
Thanks all for the replies.

I didnt think that it should be a problem. Actualy found an article on the BASAC site, which is the Uk equivilant to Padi qualification. which says its ok to dive providing that you have not had any hypos in the last 12 months, dont suffer from neuropathy, and dont have any mental problems...the wife says im crazy but i dont think that counts as a mental problem :-)

The Padi site is a bit Vague as to what they permit and it seems to be up to the Dive master at the time.

I got My Padi open water ticket in 1999 and my first dive was at st abs, cathederal rock i think was the location, Done a little at the farn islands and some of my local coast of South Shields and Sunderland. Its not too cold wen you have got a dry suit and keep on the move. Its been about 4 years since my last dive so will book in a refresher course before launching myself on the world as a lot has changed in that short . My only Warm water dive was in Turkey........something i will neer forget, was SO beautiful Made me feel so insignificant.

Anyway Thanks for the info just wanted to make sure there was not something i needed to be aware of.

Regards
Brian
 
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