Is it a good idea to go diving with Asthma? Some say yes, others say no… In this article we clear out some of the major concerns surrounding the stigma of not diving with Asthma because ‘it is supposed to be dangerous’.
Is it safe to go free diving with Asthma?
The very first question that pops up regardless is that is it even safe to go freediving if you have Asthma. And the answer, to many people’s shock, is yes. Yes, it is safe to go freediving with Asthma. Although being asthmatic indeed puts you at a major risk if you go out to try diving, but that does not mean that you can’t do it entirely. There are just more precautions than usual that you would have to take.
Firstly you should understand that while freediving, you are required to hold your breath underwater and resurface instead of using breathing apparatus. The denser surface area of water, combined with the adrenaline of diving, can take an increased effort to breathe. To better understand, you can think of sucking honey through a straw. Add this to an already increased resistance of an asthmatic, and you are writing your own potential death wish.
Assessing how diving suits you?
Next, you should assess how diving suits your asthma condition to see if you can go diving after taking all the necessary precautions. Now that you know that spontaneous freediving might not be for asthmatics, diving for everyone comes down to education and preparation. If you are mentally prepared and confident that Asthma shouldn’t be the reason that holds you back. The question, however, here is about your body type. Asthma is an underlying lung condition, so there is no one specific type of this disease. It may range from being very severe to mild, depending on how your body copes.
What triggers your Asthma?
Consequently, the matter at hand requires an answer to what triggers your Asthma. If your Asthma is triggered by allergens or any other airborne attribute, then these do not hinder freediving. Hence, make sure to check any tropical spots beforehand for pollen in lake water can have a similar effect as that of being airborne. Allergen-triggered Asthma is absolutely no risk in diving or any other adventure sports for that matter as it would require that specific thing to constrict your lungs. However, unfortunately, if your Asthma is triggered by physical activity or exertion, then diving may not be for you.
Is it better to go diving with a buddy?
As I mentioned earlier, as an asthmatic up for freediving, you need to understand the risks involved. But in addition to knowing what you can do, the best way is to do it with a trained and professionally competent diver. Try doing it for the initial 10 to 15m remaining well within your hypoxic limits that present a challenge similar to surfing or basic swimming. The diver will not only be there in need if the situation arises but will help you learn more about your body through different breathing techniques.
How is diving healthy for Asthma?
The breathing practices that you carry out with your instructor educate you more about your body and are highly likely to help asthma symptoms in the long run. The relaxation that comes with diving is also very beneficial to calm your mind and have control over your body. The breathing techniques combined with mild Asthma can even significantly reduce it in the long run.
Making the final decision.
Health, in the end, is about the overall well being of the person. It is not just the presence or absence of a disease that can dictate whether a person is healthy. Therefore, if you are passionate about freediving, you definitely should go for it but with the necessary safety measures in place (this may include a doctor’s visit as a medical professional knows best what’s good for you). In the end, trying it out may do you better than not going for it at all. Happy diving!
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About the Author
Amanda Jerelyn is currently working as a Lifestyle Blogger at Dissertation Assistance, an excellent platform to get personal statement help UK. As someone who has dealt with Asthma all her life, she is diligent about sharing her experiences with other people. So for further reading, you can check out her blog.
