Quitting smoking and diving

[JamesP]

Hi,

Im a relative new comer to diving, and wish to quit smoking, i will be doing a 3/4 split between drysuit and wetsuit diving (mainly drysuit).


My main question is what is the problem with presure and the patch, and if so whould nicotine gum/etc be more appropiate.

Given that the pressure between patch and body will be the same I personally cannot see many problems apart from the "waterproofness" of them when i am in a wetsuit.

regards

James

[Matt-75]

I wouldnt worry to be honest, you seriously shouldnt be on patches for more than a week or two. I only used 5 patches to quit, although i did cut some of them in half and quarters, to reduce the hit you get off them. But i got fed up with them after about a week and just stopped using them. Hell why would you want to use a patch while diving, i mean its not like you can spark up underwater anyway.

Use the patches to get you through the worst bit, ie the first 7 days, then switch to the lowest strength lozenges or gum. If you feel yourself waning and needing a hit, read this, http://www.gue.com/Research/Exercise/q1_1c.htm . If you still want that cigarette then you dont want to give up hard enough, try again another day. Unless you 110% want to give up, you'll most of the time never give up.

[JamesP]

Thanks will have a read in a bit.

James

[Dave (Simmo)]

Hi,

Im a relative new comer to diving, and wish to quit smoking, i will be doing a 3/4 split between drysuit and wetsuit diving (mainly drysuit).


My main question is what is the problem with presure and the patch, and if so whould nicotine gum/etc be more appropiate.

Given that the pressure between patch and body will be the same I personally cannot see many problems apart from the "waterproofness" of them when i am in a wetsuit.

regards

James
Hi James
Cant see that quitting smoking whilst diving would be a problem, surely they keep going out anyway:D

Seriously tho - never been a smoker but have worn elasoplast whilst underwater [in a damp suit] with no ill effects - it's all about equal and opposing pressure - you have the same pressure acting on boths sides of the patch so don't see why it would be a problem
Dave