Just had Trial Dive/Heart Attack Advice pls.

[mark wilks]

Two days ago I had a trial dive thanks to Alton Sub Aqua Club. It was a wonderful experience, apart from the first five mins when I could not use the air under water it was as though I had forgotten to breath!
After a fantastic hour they invited me to the pub, gave me details of joining the club, starting the training process and some magazines to read. My wife sat up with me, way past her bedtime, whilst I told her over and over again what I did that evening. All was well in the world until I came to the last information sheet 'UK Sport Diver Medical Form' this sheet has caused me to fall into a depression. Five years ago at the age of 35 I suffered a heart attack. I was fitted with a stent and after 2 days in hospital allowed home. Being as I was fit when the attack happened I sailed through my rehab. How is this going to effect me being able to take up (or not) the sport?
I am not overweight, cycle 80 miles each week and consider myself physically fit. Am I doomed to that once only trial or can I look forward to many years of diving?
I really hope someone can shed some light on my predicament.

Many Thanks

Mark

[Adrian Kelland]

You are not alone Mark.

We have trained a diver after open heart surgery. We also have a member here who had a heart attack a few years back.

So you are not necessarily doomed, you need to speak to your doctors in conjunction with a medical referee.

Adrian

[Tony Dwyer]

Two days ago I had a trial dive thanks to Alton Sub Aqua Club. It was a wonderful experience, apart from the first five mins when I could not use the air under water it was as though I had forgotten to breath!
After a fantastic hour they invited me to the pub, gave me details of joining the club, starting the training process and some magazines to read. My wife sat up with me, way past her bedtime, whilst I told her over and over again what I did that evening. All was well in the world until I came to the last information sheet 'UK Sport Diver Medical Form' this sheet has caused me to fall into a depression. Five years ago at the age of 35 I suffered a heart attack. I was fitted with a stent and after 2 days in hospital allowed home. Being as I was fit when the attack happened I sailed through my rehab. How is this going to effect me being able to take up (or not) the sport?
I am not overweight, cycle 80 miles each week and consider myself physically fit. Am I doomed to that once only trial or can I look forward to many years of diving?
I really hope someone can shed some light on my predicament.

Many Thanks

Mark


Mark

It is possible that you will be able to dive. You will need to contact a diving medical referee. There is a list of such Doctors on the back of the BSAC Self Certification form. Have a look at:

http://www.bsac.org/medical/medrefs.htm
http://www.bsac.org/medical/faqs2001.htm

For an explanation.

regards and good luck

Tony

[mark wilks]

Thankyou very much both.
Very useful and positive advice.

mark

[one_tc]

I hope you are passed medically fit soon, you're probably fitter than me.


As a side point to Mark's question, shouldn't the branch be asking for medical forms before try dives?

It was a long time ago, probably 10 years back in the days when medicals were compulsory, but I seem to recall that there was a death in the pool resulting from an undeclared heart problem on a try dive.

TC

[Paul Watts]

Good Luck Mark, I hope you get a posative response....

[Nigel Hewitt]

Five years ago at the age of 35 I suffered a heart attack. I was fitted with a stent and after 2 days in hospital allowed home. Being as I was fit when the attack happened I sailed through my rehab. How is this going to effect me being able to take up (or not) the sport?It is not an automatic problem but every case needs individual consideration.

I had my heart attack (http://www.nigelhewitt.co.uk/stuff/heart/index.html)/stent at 51 but I get passed fit to dive every year.

[janie m]

I just wanted to say thanks for the useful advice on this issue.

I've been on the net most of the day researching 'diving after heart attack' as I had a 'mild' heart attack a week ago, and as an experienced diver I wanted to know whether or not my days under the blue were now prematurely over. I'm only 40, and I'd be really unhappy if I thought I could never dive again - but obviously wouldn't want to put myself or any buddies at risk.

Glad to know that subject to exercise tolerance tests, and getting the all clear from a diving medic, I should be OK.

I'd encourage Mark to get the clearances and get qualified, as its one of the most wonderful things you could ever do.

Jane