Diving with epilepsy

[NorthEastDiver]

Hi

I was wondering if i might get some clarity on a subject.

My father in law is an ex navy clearence diver. He was discharged from the navy in his 20s after an epileptic fit onboard his ship.

He has always wanted to dive again an now in his late 50s wants to look into it a little more.

My question that i would like answered is this. Is there anything stopping a person from diving with no certification??

I ask this as i have read you need to be fit free for 5 years to dive and on NO medication. My father in law has been fit free for 5+ years but has several pills to keep it all in check.

Whats the penalties for diving without a certification??

I would like to say before this question is answered that i fully understand the risks involved in diving without a certification and would not encourage anyone to do it. I am curious though at the options available for those told they cant dive because they have epilepsy.

[GLOC]

Your life, your choice. Unless life insurance is an issue, nothing.

However, if your father dies while diving, someone will have to rescue/recover the body. Make sure you understand that before getting in the water.

There is no legal reason to stop you diving without a medical or a qualification in your own spare time from a public place.

If you are really serious about this, speak to one of the staff at the LDC or Mark Downs on here (UKSDMC). They won't give an all clear but they will certainly be able to give some advice as to the impact/influence of the medication.

Regards


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[Paulo]

There are no dive police and there are no legal requirements to be trained and certified.

that said, places that would do fills for someone that has no cert are few and far between I would say.

Also if you brought him down and he had a fit then you could find yourself culpable

[NorthEastDiver]

Thanks for your replies.

I agree with it being your life your choice. However as mentioned if something went wrong then rescue/recovery would be needed.

I am assuming no insurance company will insure a non certified diver.

The reason this came up was when my father in law brought up driving with epilepsy. The requirement is to be fit free for 12 months and controlled with/without medication.

My opinion on this is he could quite easily cause a major accident and potentially kill several people in an accident.

Diving in my opinion presents less of a risk to others but has more strict requirements in place to pass a medical.

[NorthEastDiver]

If it were to be the case that he were to dive then i think it would be sensible to reduce the risks as much as possible.

I.e restrict bottom time to a set time. Say 30 minutes.
Also depth would be restricted to say 12 metres.

[Paulo]

If it were to be the case that he were to dive then i think it would be sensible to reduce the risks as much as possible.

I.e restrict bottom time to a set time. Say 30 minutes.
Also depth would be restricted to say 12 metres.

If he had a fit and lost his reg, he would drown in 12 inches nevermind 12m

[GLOC]

Speak to a doctor...

They will be able to provide some more definitive advice, especially when it comes to the hyperbaric effects of medicine.

Air fills don't need certs. I am not sure about being culpable, especially if they are of sound mind to make the decision to go diving themselves.

I very much doubt any insurance company would insure as it epilepsy is contraindicated in diving.

Regards

[dwhitlow]

If it were to be the case that he were to dive then i think it would be sensible to reduce the risks as much as possible.

I.e restrict bottom time to a set time. Say 30 minutes.
Also depth would be restricted to say 12 metres.
As GLOC said, have a chat with a diving doctor about the situation.

I don't suppose he dived full facemask did he? That would at least reduce the risk to him if he had a seizure.

[dwhitlow]

Speak to a doctor...

I think GLOC meants to say speak to a diving doctor. the average doctor has little knowledge of diving issues.

[GLOC]

I think GLOC meants to say speak to a diving doctor. the average doctor has little knowledge of diving issues.

I did mean to speak to a hyperbaric doctor.

Here is a good start for someone to speak to - http://www.uksdmc.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33:medical-referees&catid=7:medical-referees&Itemid=3

[greatwhite]

Go see a diving doc who can issue a fit to dive certificate if the client meets the criteria! I had one only last week, cost me £40, well worth it for the peace of mind. After getting the certificate I scanned it and sent it to DAN insurance. They also gave the all clear and said I can take out DAN insurance minus being covered from my previous injury but all else is covered.

[dwhitlow]

There is some material here that might be worth reading, if you've not already looked at them...

http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/medical/articles/Epilepsy_and_Diving_Why_It39s_Not_A_Good_Idea_to_C ombine_the_Twohttp://
https://www.epilepsy.org.uk/info/sports-leisure

[greatwhite]

Also read the PADI/BSAC self assessment forms small print they list all medical conditions.

[greatwhite]

Write an email to DAN too - they are very good and very helpful!

[NorthEastDiver]

I shall advise him to go see a diving doctor and see what comes of that.

Greatwhite are you certified to dive?? Or do you only have a fit to dive medical certificate??

[greatwhite]

PADI medical statement says - a person with epilepsy should not dive. If you are taking medications you should consult your Dr.

[greatwhite]

I am certified to dive and have a fit to dive certificate.

[greatwhite]

Also, I guess, if one has a fit, there is only one way they will go and that is down and I can't imagine many buddy's following

[GLOC]

To stop lots more stuff being spouted...thread closed.