Scuba diving and Chiari Type 1

[Marconis1]

I enrolled in a scuba diving course for next semester at my school, though I am thinking I may need to drop it because of Chiari. I want to be a field biologist, and I have a great interest in aquatics; have been keeping aquariums for many years. This being the case, I was thinking that getting scuba certified would be highly beneficial to me. Of course, it doesn't seem like it'd be beneficial at all to my Chiari.

Is it a bad idea? How does scuba diving actually effect your Chiari? I really don't want to drop the course, as I will be highly upset if I cannot do it. What do you guys think...

[selmaS]

  Just a quick FYI- with swimming the way u move ur arms and shoulders affects ur neck too....I found in order to "swim" I can only do it on my back with minimal arm movement...this way I am not holding my head up and not using my arms and shoulders to propel thru the water...I am using my legs more....

Just something to think about if what u try u have pain or pressure.....

[Marconis1]

Thank you for all of the comments, guys. Yesterday I turned my head around a bit to view something behind me, and after having it turned for only two seconds I felt significant pressure on my neck/brain. This was a reminder to me that my neck and head is sensitive to such movement. I work at a car wash on the weekends, and even then sometimes my head starts to hurt from twisting it to clean windows, etc. I may opt out of this, and take an Urban Environment course instead, which will nicely supplement my internship this summer in which I will be taking data (biological/environmental/social) on street trees across the city, studying their mortality and how the surrounding environment affects them . I am registered for 17 creidts, so if I drop the SCUBA class I am still in the clear. In other words, I have all summer to think long and hard about it. I am going to contact my doctor probably later in the week, and will report back.

I guess I am just scared to do such a thing as scuba, despite my strong desire. I don't know if I would feel comfortable knowing that such pressure is crushing down on my brain when there is already something obstructing my CSF flow; it's not kind to my body, I feel. I am going to test out swimming a bit this summer in greater depths to see how my body feels after being submerged for, say, forty seconds (if I can hold my breath that long!).

Thanks again guys, will keep you updated.

[selmaS]

  Well I did recognize the name right away, just not ur history....lol...as I said I too have chiari and have issues with recall at times : )

I know u want to scuba and that is great, there r many things I want to do too, and don't bcuz I know how it will make me feel and I really choose not to feel like that or put myself in a position where it could mean more surgery bcuz of a choice I made.....I think about those things....I know some people feel but u may be able to do it with out an issue, and mayb I won't...it is a gamble...I am not a gambler.

As a child I had issues with breathing so I refused to go in a pool depth over my head....4.5 ft was the limit for me....I love to swim, but set my own limits yrs b4 I got my dx.

We all do what we can to help ourselves survive and feel good....

[linnielou232]

I hope that you can fulfill your dream of scuba diving, I have never dived, but had the opportunity to snorl.  You could also as the instructor about this, but also your NS.  I wish you the best with this.  It would be an amazing experience.  Best of luck.
Linda:)

[Rylanesmom]

I agree check with your specialist.  I know for me I was told no scuba...it was because I have EDS and we have discovered that I have EDS which has caused severe emphysema.  For me scuba could mean a collapsed lung and infections.  I am thankful that I already have scuba dived in St Lucia it was amazing!  A lot of chiarians have blood pressure problems and that would mean no scuba too.  I don't think having chiari automatically makes you unable to scuba yet I do think you need thoroughly checked out and need to make that decision with a partnership from a hilarious specialist....good luck:)

[Marconis1]

Haha, I was just trying to refresh your memory, didn't expect you to know who I was :-p.

My case as of the last post in that thread is as it stands now; I've been very busy with work and school, and my symptoms have been mild so I haven't been thinking about it. I'm very laid back about my Chiari at times, and I am a man who just wants to scuba!