Emphysema & Snorkelling

[Yak Diver]

Hi all I need some help five years ago I was diagnosed with emphysema which makes me a little out of breath, but when I did the peak flow test I have the lung capacity of a 28 year old, I'm 58, I have very large lungs in fact I need 2 x-rays to see the whole of my lungs, I've been doing a lot of cycling and have built my fitness up, now the question is do you think it is safe to go back doing snorkelling again, I have a sit on top kayak which I used before so I thought I could just drift along with it and have a floating rope tied to me and the kayak and just do shallow dives no more than 12 feet deep, I also have a CO2 snorkel vest which I bought in the USA as a "just in case" a few years ago so what do you think yes or no. Thanks

[Roz]

Hi all I need some help five years ago I was diagnosed with emphysema which makes me a little out of breath, but when I did the peak flow test I have the lung capacity of a 28 year old, I'm 58, I have very large lungs in fact I need 2 x-rays to see the whole of my lungs, I've been doing a lot of cycling and have built my fitness up, now the question is do you think it is safe to go back doing snorkelling again, I have a sit on top kayak which I used before so I thought I could just drift along with it and have a floating rope tied to me and the kayak and just do shallow dives no more than 12 feet deep, I also have a CO2 snorkel vest which I bought in the USA as a "just in case" a few years ago so what do you think yes or no. Thanks

This is a very difficult question for the Forum to answer because the vast majority of us, (me included) are not medically qualified. If you are looking for a qualified answer I would suggest you talk to a Diving Doctor http://www.uksdmc.co.uk/main/Medical%20referees.htm rather than your GP. It's actually quite frightening what GP's and Casualty Units don't know about diving medicine. The above list is for UK Diving Doctors, which I suspect might not be helpful to you because I think you are posting from the USA?

From my own experience there are four excellent doctors I would recommend, who know their onions, and their diving medicine.

Andrew Scott-Brown
Lake Road Surgery
Portsmouth
UK

Tristan Cope
North West Emergency Hyperbaric Unit
BUPA Murrayfield Hospital
UK

John King
Harley Street
London
UK

Adel Taher
Sharm-el-Sheikh Hyperbaric Chamber
Egypt

I have seen all of these doctors medically - mostly HSE medicals - and respect absolutely their vast and thorough relevant knowledge.

Which ever path you choose to tread (seeking medical clarification or not), if you do go snorkelling always snorkel with another capable person, take it easy and enjoy it. You don't necessarily have to always leave surface to have an amazing time.

[Yak Diver]

Many thanks Roz