hydrocephalus skydiving

[savioq]

Hello,
I have hydrocephalus with vp shut since birth. is it safe to go for skydiving?? i am 24  

thank you

[Dr. A. Srivastava]

Hi, Thank you for your question. Hydrocephalus is a condition in which the cerebrospinal fluid gets abnormally accumulated in the brain cavities.  This may cause increased intra cranial pressure leading to headache, convulsions, mental disability etc. Therefore usually activities that aggravate symptoms should be restricted. Please arrange an appointment with a neurologist right away who will evaluate the possibilities here and can provide you an appropriate treatment. Hope this information proves helpful to you.

[casey5]

I also have hydrocephalus and a VP shunt, I am 19.  I recently went tandem skydiving and I did not have a problem.  I went to my NS and he said that I was fine to go skydiving.  As long as your shunt is not affected by high altitudes, then you should be fine.  You will need to get a letter from your Neurosurgeon that says that you are fine to go skydiving, this will be attached to your waiver.  You should also inform your tandem partner of your diagnosis.  I really enjoy going skydiving and I hope that you do to.