Health Issues for Big Adventurers
This information is not to be considered medical advice and is offered purely for educational purposes. Big Adventures does not provide medical care or advice and does represent itself to be a medical professional. All specific health questions should be taken up with your personal physician.
First, let me give you my description, and then I'll tell you what my understanding of the two primary issues are. I'm 42 years old. 5'7" tall and wear a woman's size 28... while I don't know exactly, I probably weigh between 275 and 300 pounds. I have been diving for four years. I have earned the open water certification, the advanced open water certification, an underwater photography specialty, rescue diver and most recently, the Divemaster certification. I have logged approximately 400 dives. I hope to complete my instructor credential soon.
The cardio vascular issue: is basically about aerobic fitness...
You will need to do a 200 yard swim. You can use any stroke and you can take as much time as you want, but you will need to swim continuously.
When learning to dive, you have to put on a bunch of heavy equipment, the tank and scuba unit weigh about 40 pounds. You'll wear that like a back pack. Women in general, and well rounded folks specifically, tend to be pretty buoyant, so we also need to wear substantial weight belts, expect about 20 - 25 pounds, at my size. (Less if you are smaller). OK, so now, you have this gear on... and you need to walk down to the beach and into the water (At the training site this is typically about 100'.) Once you are in the water, you can manage the weight with buoyancy and flotation. When you are done diving, you will need to walk out of the water wearing your gear, and across the sand. Now, in theory, you can carry your equipment to the beach in several trips and put it on in the water. (And there are actually several times when it is more appropriate to put gear on in the water) But, this is a sport, participants do need to have some level of fitness, only you and you doctor can decide if it is safe for you to try. For me, SCUBA has been a great way to improve my level of fitness because it allows me to do a moderately strenuous activity in a physically supportive and comfortable environment.
The decompression sickness or bends issue: When we breath compressed air (that's what is in the scuba tank) and we are underwater, the added pressure of the weight of the water causes the nitrogen that is naturally present in the air to be absorbed by our blood to a greater degree than when we are on the surface. When we ascend from depth, and the pressure is released, the nitrogen is released from the blood. If we release the pressure too quickly, the nitrogen forms bubbles in the blood and tissues and those bubbles can cause "the bends." Now, that part of it is true for everyone (not just fat people). Some of the risk factors (things that make it more likely to have a problem) for the bends are: poor aerobic fitness, age, (risk increases with age) dehydration, deep dives, fast ascents, obesity/amount of fat tissue (it seems that nitrogen is more easily absorbed by the fat), fatigue, smoking. (There is an excellent resource of dive medicine information at: scuba-doc.com)
OK, so what can I do to reduce my risk factors of decompression sickness (DCS)? Well, I can exercise as much as possible to keep my aerobic condition as fit as possible. I can drink lots of water and avoid being hung over so I am not dehydrated. I can be careful about how deep I dive (your training dives will all be quite shallow). I can make very slow, safe ascents with safety stops on every dive (you will learn how to do this in your training). I can not smoke, I can do my best to make sure I am well rested before diving.
As fat women, we live with a variety of increased risks. Please, ask questions, educate yourself, and then consult the medical professionals who support you so that you can make well informed decisions.
Excerpts from the medical form (see the whole thing):
Diving with PADI
Dive training requires the completion of a medical statement. It is a form that asks if you have a history of a number of conditions. Any "yes" answer requires clearance from a doctor before you can dive.
There is a general liability statement:
Diving is an exciting and demanding activity. When performed correctly, applying correct techniques, it is very safe. When established procedures are not followed, however, there are dangers.
To scuba dive safely, you must not be extremely overweight or out of condition. Your respiratory and circulatory systems must be in good health. All body air spaces must be normal and healthy. A person with heart trouble, a current cold or congestion, epilepsy, asthma, a severe medical problem, or who is under the influence of alcohol or drugs should not dive. If taking medication consult your doctor and the instructor before participation in this program. You will also need to learn from the instructor the important safety rules regarding breathing and equalization while scuba diving. Improper use of scuba equipment can result in serious injury. You must be thoroughly instructed in its use under direct supervision of a qualified instructor to use it safely.
A "yes" answer to any of the following questions requires that you seek the advice of your physician before diving.
- Could you be pregnant or are you trying to get pregnant?
- Do you regularly take prescription medication with the exception of the birth control?
- Are you over 45 years of age and have one or more of the following?: currently smoke, high cholesterol, a family history of heart attack or stroke?
- Have you ever or do you currently have:
- Asthma, or wheezing while breathing or wheezing while exercising?
- Frequent or severe attacks of hay fever or allergy?
- History of hernia?
- Frequent colds, sinusitis, or bronchitis?
- History of ulcers?
- Any form of lung disease?
- Pneumothorax (collapsed lung)?
- History of chest surgery?
- Claustrophobia or agoraphobia?
- Behavioral health problems?
- History of blackouts or fainting?
- Epilepsy, seizures, convulsions or take medications to prevent them?
- Recurring migraine headaches or take medications to prevent them?
- Do you frequently suffer motion sickness?
- History of drug or alcohol abuse?
- History of diving accidents or decompression sickness?
- History of recurrent back problems?
- History of back surgery?
- History of diabetes?
- History of colostomy?
- History of back, arm, or leg problems following surgery?
- Inability to perform moderate exercise?
- History of blackouts or fainting?
- History of high blood pressure?
- History of blackouts or fainting?
- History of heart disease / heart attack?
- Angina or heart surgery?
- History of ear disease, hearing loss or problems with balance?