Scuba after a Heart Attack

> DAN advise that scuba after a heart attack is probably not a good
> idea. Has anyone else got any experience, advice or resources to
> consult.
>
> After my heart attack, I'm looking at a dry future and I don't like
> it :-(

DAN? Are you mad?
Go and see a proper diving doctor who will examine
you and give you personal advice based on your condition.
The answer may still be 'no' but at least then you are sure.

nigelH
http://www.nigelhewitt.co.uk/stuff/heart/index.html

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DaveC - 14 Apr 2006 19:44 GMT

>> DAN advise that scuba after a heart attack is probably not a good
>> idea. Has anyone else got any experience, advice or resources to
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> you and give you personal advice based on your condition.
> The answer may still be 'no' but at least then you are sure.

Criticise DAN on a public forum? I seem to remember the last person who did
that (Mr Steggle, as I recall) ended up getting very intimate with DAN's
legal people! ;-)

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Martin - 15 Apr 2006 11:45 GMT

I suggest that Nigel's criticism was of me, not DAN, implying that relying
simply upon DAN's advice from a distance was unwise in this instance, a
sentiment I agree with and hence the appeal for input from the group. I feel
that I must also point out that DAN gave me a scenario under which returning
to my DM role would be acceptable but that at 51, I felt it was unlikely
that I'd reach their extremely tough fitness criteria .. probably haven't
since
my 20's :-)

Thanks for all input ... I will certainly see a doctor specialising in
diving medicine and hope to get wet again later this year or next year

regards
Martin

p.s. Nigel, I thought your account of your own heart attack and following
events was excellent and gave me much hope ... thanks !!

Signature

mjn at onetel dot com

> Martin wrote:
>> DAN advise that scuba after a heart attack is probably not a good
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> you and give you personal advice based on your condition.
> The answer may still be 'no' but at least then you are sure.

Criticise DAN on a public forum? I seem to remember the last person who did
that (Mr Steggle, as I recall) ended up getting very intimate with DAN's
legal people! ;-)

Reply to this Message

Lee Bell - 16 Apr 2006 16:01 GMT

>I suggest that Nigel's criticism was of me, not DAN, implying that relying
> simply upon DAN's advice from a distance was unwise in this instance, a
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> since
> my 20's :-)

I agree that it was you that Nigel was addressing.

To be blunt about it all, the primary risk of diving with a heart condition
is a heart attack while underwater. A heart attack that might not kill you
on the surface, is more likely to kill you if it happens while you are
submerged. The probability of a future heart attack is something only a
specialist can help you with. The risk you are willing to take, given that
information, is something only you can decide.

Depending on what being a DM means to you, I suspect that it might be
irresponsible of you to take on such responsibility, particularly if the
kind of crisis that would require your DM skills would be likely to trigger
a problem that would prevent you from meeting those reaponsibilities.
Diving again after a heart attack is one thing. Assuming responsibility for
the safety of others is different.

Lee

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Martin - 16 Apr 2006 19:11 GMT

that's a given ... any DM activities from me in the future would only be
confined to pool training and on board. I've pulled bodies out of the sea
before and could never live with my restrictions being responsible for
anything similar

regards
Martin

Signature

mjn at onetel dot com

"Martin" wrote

>I suggest that Nigel's criticism was of me, not DAN, implying that relying
> simply upon DAN's advice from a distance was unwise in this instance, a
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> since
> my 20's :-)

I agree that it was you that Nigel was addressing.

To be blunt about it all, the primary risk of diving with a heart condition
is a heart attack while underwater. A heart attack that might not kill you
on the surface, is more likely to kill you if it happens while you are
submerged. The probability of a future heart attack is something only a
specialist can help you with. The risk you are willing to take, given that
information, is something only you can decide.

Depending on what being a DM means to you, I suspect that it might be
irresponsible of you to take on such responsibility, particularly if the
kind of crisis that would require your DM skills would be likely to trigger
a problem that would prevent you from meeting those reaponsibilities.
Diving again after a heart attack is one thing. Assuming responsibility for
the safety of others is different.

Lee

Reply to this Message

Martin - 16 Apr 2006 19:35 GMT

I hasten to add that those bodies were unknown divers, not with my group !

Signature

mjn at onetel dot com

that's a given ... any DM activities from me in the future would only be
confined to pool training and on board. I've pulled bodies out of the sea
before and could never live with my restrictions being responsible for
anything similar

regards
Martin

Signature

mjn at onetel dot com

>I suggest that Nigel's criticism was of me, not DAN, implying that relying
> simply upon DAN's advice from a distance was unwise in this instance, a
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> since
> my 20's :-)

I agree that it was you that Nigel was addressing.

To be blunt about it all, the primary risk of diving with a heart condition
is a heart attack while underwater. A heart attack that might not kill you
on the surface, is more likely to kill you if it happens while you are
submerged. The probability of a future heart attack is something only a
specialist can help you with. The risk you are willing to take, given that
information, is something only you can decide.

Depending on what being a DM means to you, I suspect that it might be
irresponsible of you to take on such responsibility, particularly if the
kind of crisis that would require your DM skills would be likely to trigger
a problem that would prevent you from meeting those reaponsibilities.
Diving again after a heart attack is one thing. Assuming responsibility for
the safety of others is different.

Lee

Reply to this Message

> DAN advise that scuba after a heart attack is probably not a good idea.
> Has anyone else got any experience, advice or resources to consult.
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> thanks
> Martin

I'd say talk to your cardiologist and ask him/her to talk to a diving
specialist about your case in particular.

You may find that you can be cleared for shallow warm water diving but
I would think that anything more taxing may be ruled out...

Just my thoughts...

Dan L.

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david - 14 Apr 2006 22:32 GMT

>> DAN advise that scuba after a heart attack is probably not a good idea.
>> Has anyone else got any experience, advice or resources to consult.
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>> thanks
>> Martin

Hey Martin I know of two people who have both had hart promlems both still
dive. one was diving very soon after the other took some time. Go get so
advive from a doctor, an insurace compay will only give advice that is best
for them untill you do.

I hope all turns out well and you can dive soon :-)

David

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Martin - 15 Apr 2006 11:47 GMT

Thanks for the good wishes .... Martin

Signature

mjn at onetel dot com

>> DAN advise that scuba after a heart attack is probably not a good idea.
>> Has anyone else got any experience, advice or resources to consult.
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>> thanks
>> Martin

Hey Martin I know of two people who have both had hart promlems both still
dive. one was diving very soon after the other took some time. Go get so
advive from a doctor, an insurace compay will only give advice that is best
for them untill you do.

I hope all turns out well and you can dive soon :-)

David

Reply to this Message

>DAN advise that scuba after a heart attack is probably not a good idea.
>Has anyone else got any experience, advice or resources to consult.
>
>After my heart attack, I'm looking at a dry future and I don't like it :-(

To add to the good advice already given, these are the guys that you
should be talking to
http://www.uksdmc.co.uk/

There will be a couple of them that are cardiac specialists but most
importantly understand diving as well.

Reply to this Message

Hi Martin,

I had a myocardial infarction myself last August and have made a fairly good
recovery so far.

The main rehabilitation period is about 18 months during which exercise, diet,
lifestyle changes, etc all play a role in contributing to your recovery
fitness.

I was recently co-signed by a medical referee to start working towards diving
again and am currently pool training twice a week, swimming twice a week and
doing some aerobic step and cycling as well. I've been snorkelling in the
pool for about 3 months now and doing scuba in the pool for the last month
and aim to continue with the scuba for a few more months before trying some
shallow open water dives. Measured step by step progress has always been
emphasised at my cardiac rehabilitation course.

Stress is a major factor in heart disease and my advice is to assess whether
you really need to put yourself into instructing at this point. I'm an
Advanced Diver and have been an Open Water Instructor for the past 7 years
but I've decided on no instructing for the foreseeable future, 6m-12m diving
first year and maximum 15m-20m if all goes well. Make it easy on yourself but
be fit for the task.

I've been told insurance cover is looked upon more positively when you've
been stable for a least 12 months after your cardiac event so no Red Sea this
year for me but there are great shallow sites in Britain's Southwest so now's
the time to revisit them.

some useful sites

http://www.divernet.com/medical/1100qanda.htm
http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/medical/faq/faq.asp?faqid=6
http://www.bsac.org/medical/guidline.doc
http://www.uksdmc.co.uk/standards/Standards.htm

>DAN advise that scuba after a heart attack is probably not a good idea.
>Has anyone else got any experience, advice or resources to consult.
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>thanks
>Martin

Reply to this Message

Martin - 21 Apr 2006 19:04 GMT

Mine was mid-September so I'm not far behind you.

Good luck BEW and thanks for the links .... see you in a Coral
Garden at 10m in the red Sea sometime next year perhaps :-)

regards
Martin

Signature

mjn at onetel dot com

Hi Martin,

I had a myocardial infarction myself last August and have made a fairly good
recovery so far.

The main rehabilitation period is about 18 months during which exercise,
diet,
lifestyle changes, etc all play a role in contributing to your recovery
fitness.

I was recently co-signed by a medical referee to start working towards
diving
again and am currently pool training twice a week, swimming twice a week and
doing some aerobic step and cycling as well. I've been snorkelling in the
pool for about 3 months now and doing scuba in the pool for the last month
and aim to continue with the scuba for a few more months before trying some
shallow open water dives. Measured step by step progress has always been
emphasised at my cardiac rehabilitation course.

Stress is a major factor in heart disease and my advice is to assess whether
you really need to put yourself into instructing at this point. I'm an
Advanced Diver and have been an Open Water Instructor for the past 7 years
but I've decided on no instructing for the foreseeable future, 6m-12m diving
first year and maximum 15m-20m if all goes well. Make it easy on yourself
but
be fit for the task.

I've been told insurance cover is looked upon more positively when you've
been stable for a least 12 months after your cardiac event so no Red Sea
this
year for me but there are great shallow sites in Britain's Southwest so
now's
the time to revisit them.

some useful sites

http://www.divernet.com/medical/1100qanda.htm
http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/medical/faq/faq.asp?faqid=6
http://www.bsac.org/medical/guidline.doc
http://www.uksdmc.co.uk/standards/Standards.htm

Martin wrote:

>DAN advise that scuba after a heart attack is probably not a good idea.
>Has anyone else got any experience, advice or resources to consult.
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>thanks
>Martin

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