Mom want's to SCUBA Help....?

[Jbart74]

Ok, So I am a recreational diver and my Mom wants to dive with me. There are a few problems with her and I HAVE INSTUCTED HER TO SPEAK WITH HER DOCTORS, but I'm looking for any advice from experienced Divers and/or Masters out there.

She is 61, very active and fit, but has a pacemaker. She is on Cumidim or some other blood thinner for clots, as she has had a few small strokes. Are these factors that should preclude her from diving right off the bat?

I hope that she can dive with me, but I will not let her risk her health in order to do so.

Thanks in advance...

 

[caribbeansun]

Here's an article from DAN (Divers Alert Network) that is directly on point.

Just say "no"!

 

[Kay H]

I would absolutely refuse to allow her to dive with me. If she is VERY persistant, tell her to get a letter from her cardiologist saying she can dive. I doubt her dr will give her one. It isn't worth risking her life to scuba dive.

 

[theo]

Sources of advice...

Ok, So I am a recreational diver and my Mom wants to dive with me. There are a few problems with her and I HAVE INSTUCTED HER TO SPEAK WITH HER DOCTORS, but I'm looking for any advice from experienced Divers and/or Masters out there.

She is 61, very active and fit, but has a pacemaker. She is on Cumidim or some other blood thinner for clots, as she has had a few small strokes. Are these factors that should preclude her from diving right off the bat?

I hope that she can dive with me, but I will not let her risk her health in order to do so.

Thanks in advance...

John:
With all due respect, this is much too serious a matter to accept (or even consider) any advice received from anonymous people of unknown credentials posting opinions on a timeshare bbs. Instead, this is material for a face to face discussion directly (and only) with Mom's cardiologist...

 

[PigsDad]

John:
With all due respect, this is much too serious a matter to accept (or even consider) any advice received from anonymous people of unknown credentials posting opinions on a timeshare bbs. Instead, this is material for a face to face discussion directly (and only) with Mom's cardiologist...

I strongly agree here. While all intentions are good, free advice is often worth less than what you paid for it!

Kurt

 

[UWSurfer]

The suggestion of contacting DAN however was an excellent one. They have a list of doctors who are knowledgable and qualified to evaluate a patient on whether they would be ok to dive.

Most doctors are not trained on the issues related to diving. DAN can provide a referal.

 

[timesharejunkie4]

You are required to complete an application before taking an open water diving course and if your mother would answer the questions honestly the course instructor would require her to get medical clearance.
If she is considering a "discover scuba" type dive instruction, any reputable, responsible person conducting the course would still have her complete a health questionaire. I had considered doing this type of course when I was in Australia back in 1999 and was rejected because I have a heart murmur.
Since then I did have a heart attack at age 46. I had angioplasty and have been doing well with no physical limitations as long as I have no symptoms. At 53 I decided to try scuba diving. The first thing I did was get clearance, in writing, from my cardiologist. That was last year and I have since done 19 dives and will be diving in Cabo Pulmo on Monday!
I highly recommend taking the complete open water diver vs a discover scuba course. Scuba diving is awesome but there can be dangerous and risky if not learned properly and/or if a person is at risk physically.