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Can You Scuba Dive with Asthma?

Can You Scuba Dive with Asthma?

Written by Charly Stringer
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Published on February 21, 2023
scuba diver with whale underwater
TAGS: asthma

If you’ve been diagnosed with asthma, you might be wondering whether you can scuba dive with asthma. Scuba diving is an incredible activity that allows you to view the underwater world and swim alongside beautiful and unusual animals.

We are going to look at what asthma is and how it might affect you while scuba diving. We will discover whether you can scuba dive with asthma, and go through a few tips for those suffering with asthma who still want to scuba dive.

scuba diver underwater in reef cave
Image via Shutterstock

What is asthma and how does it affect diving?

Asthma (bronchial asthma) is a lung disorder that causes the narrowing of the airways. Airways are the tubes in which air is brought into the lungs, which can become inflamed or constricted as a result of asthma. This can cause shortness of breath, coughing, and wheezing. Asthma is usually a long term disease that has varying levels of severity depending on the individual. Air pollution and allergens can make asthma worse and some people will suffer with symptoms of asthma worse during exercise. Some people who suffer with asthma will use an inhaler to ease the symptoms of an asthma attack.

So how might diving affect asthma? Firstly, if an asthma sufferer has an asthma attack underwater, or feels short of breath, it is more difficult for them to stop and catch their breath, as they will have to maintain positive buoyancy which requires controlled breathing. Secondly, there is only one regulator to get air into the mouth and the lungs; a fact that can be intimidating when you are used to being able to breathe from anywhere. One might become distressed and bolt to the surface in search of air, and this can lead to lung overexpansion injuries, decompression sickness, and other risks of injury or drowning.

Can you scuba dive with asthma?

Although scuba diving with asthma can increase certain risks, it is still possible to do if you only suffer from mild to moderate asthma. It is up to you to figure out if scuba diving is appropriate and safe for you as an asthma sufferer.

Due to the changing conditions of pressure and the impact of gasses in the lungs, scuba diving might be a trigger for asthma by causing airways to tighten. Exertion from swimming, breathing dry air from the tank, a drop in water temperature, and nerves around diving might all be triggers of asthma, too.

If your asthma is triggered by temperature, anxiety, or exercise, it is not recommended that you try scuba diving as the risks are too high. If you use your inhaler regularly, you will also want to consider the fact that you will not have access to it underwater. This could be a deciding factor as to whether scuba diving is for you. Is it worth the risk when you could safely snorkel on the surface and get back to shore quickly if needed?

If you are considering scuba diving with asthma, it is very important to consult with your doctor before making your decision. Your doctor will be able to assess your specific severity of asthma and help you make an informed decision as to whether it is safe. Every asthma sufferer is different, just because many people dive with asthma without consequence, does not mean that it may be safe for you.

scuba diver with whale underwater
Image via Shutterstock

Tips for diving with asthma

If you get the okay from a doctor and decide that you would like to try scuba diving, here are a few tips to keep you breathing easy underwater.

  1. Make sure you have your inhaler (if you use one) on the boat or at the dive site
  2. If you start to experience early symptoms of asthma underwater, signal to your buddy or dive group that you need to end the dive and make your way safely to the surface
  3. Make a conscious effort to monitor how you feel at all points during the dive, including before you descend
  4. Avoid diving if you’re congested
  5. Tell your guide and/or dive buddy about your asthma before the dive
  6. Don’t dive if you are feeling nervous about that particular dive
  7. Always err on the side of caution, if you don’t feel 100% sure, skip the dive

Conclusion

We hope we have cleared up a few things about scuba diving with asthma and that you can now make the right decision for you. Remember, snorkeling is a great option if you’d like to stay closer to the surface of the water while still enjoying the marine life views.

Charly Stringer

Charly Stringer

Charly Stringer is a scuba diver based in Dahab, Egypt. She is a scuba diving and freediving instructor, as well as a digital creator,