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SCUBA Diving and Asthma: Clinical Recommendations and Safety

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Abstract

The objective of this article is to review the available studies regarding asthma and SCUBA (self-contained underwater breathing apparatus) diving. A literature search was conducted in MEDLINE to identify peer-reviewed articles related to asthma and SCUBA diving using the following keywords: asthma, allergy, and SCUBA diving. SCUBA diving is a popular sport with more than 9 million divers in the USA. SCUBA diving can be a dangerous sport. Bronchospasm can develop in asthmatic patients and cause airway obstruction. Airway obstruction may be localized to the distal airway which prevents gas elimination. Uncontrolled expansion of the distal airway may result in pulmonary barotrauma. There is also the risk of a gas embolism. Asthmatic divers can also aspirate seawater which may induce bronchospasm. Pollen contamination of their oxygen tank may exacerbate atopic asthma in patients. Diving may be hazardous to the lung function of patients with asthma. Despite the risks of SCUBA diving, many asthmatic individuals can dive without serious diving events. Diving evaluations for asthmatic patients have focused on a thorough patient history, spirometry, allergy testing, and bronchial challenges. For patients that wish to dive, their asthma should be well controlled without current chest symptoms. Patients should have a normal spirometry. Some diving societies recommend that an asthmatic patient should successfully pass a bronchial provocation challenge. Recommendations also state that exercise-, emotion-, and cold-induced asthmatics should not dive. Asthmatic patients requiring rescue medication within 48 h should not dive.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Allergy and Immunology, Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center, Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, TX, USA

    Christopher A. Coop, Karla E. Adams & Charles N. Webb

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  1. Christopher A. Coop
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  2. Karla E. Adams
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  3. Charles N. Webb
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Correspondence to Christopher A. Coop.

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The opinions or assertions herein are the private views of the authors and are not to be construed as reflecting the views of the Department of the Air Force or the Department of Defense.

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Coop, C.A., Adams, K.E. & Webb, C.N. SCUBA Diving and Asthma: Clinical Recommendations and Safety. Clinic Rev Allerg Immunol 50, 18–22 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12016-015-8474-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12016-015-8474-y

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