DIABETES & DIVING or DIVING & DIABETES

I must admit a certain surprise when we received an invitation from the association "Diabetes and Diving”Which invited us, on September 15 and 16, to take part in a nitrox diving weekend in people with insulin-treated diabetics…

DIABETICS DIVE ???

State patent for 20 years, I had stuck with “no diving for diabetics…”. Not being concerned neither near nor far and having never had the case of a diver presenting himself as diabetic, I was not more interested in the subject… mea culpa.

NO MORE ACCIDENTS AT DIABETIC DIVERS

In fact, the justification for this prohibition by the risk of hypoglycemia is purely intellectual. The literature shows no more accidents among diabetic divers. Already in 1996, during the "Diabetes and Diving Workshop" of UHMS (Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society), DAN was recording dive accidents between 1989 and 1994. On 550 deaths, 7 involved diabetics and on 2400 decompression sickness, 8 involved diabetics. The number of accidents being related to the number of diabetics in the general population, it appears that the risk of accident does not appear increased compared to other divers.

2004: A FIRST ADVANCED

The symbol of the contraindications related to diabetes insulin-applicant is lifted. France joins other countries like the USA, England but also Switzerland, Germany, Holland, Austria, Denmark or Egypt.

DAN (Divers Alert Network) and BSAC (British Sub Aqua Club) were the forerunners in this field. Until 16 October 2004, insulin-requiring diabetes was an absolute and historical contraindication to diving. This prohibition dates back to the 70 years when a diabetic died while diving. In fact, the responsibility for diabetes in this accident could not be proven in this diver who also carries a foramen ovale.

The main reason for the contraindication for insulin-dependent diabetes is the risk of hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) in immersion. Hypoglycemia can occur abruptly and can lead to behavioral disturbances or discomfort.

Thanks to the work of the association Diabetes Adventureand in particular, those of Dr. Boris Lormeau, endocrinologist in Paris, the FFESSM authorizes since 2004, in a very framed way, some diabetics to practice their passion.

20 METERS, 30 MINUTES, BOX WHATEVER LEVEL

The current texts are clear:

1. No autonomy for insulin-dependent divers, whatever their level of diving.
2. Diving framed by an E2 at least in the wild, an E1 at least in an artificial environment.
3. Diving in the safety curve.
4. Diving in the middle space (20 maximum meters). Duration of the dive limited to 30 minutes.
5. In addition to the supervisor and other divers, the team can not include more than one insulin-dependent diabetic diver, and this regardless of its level.
6. Prohibition of diving:
- in case of water temperature below 14 ° C
- if there are conditions hindering the implementation of the launching protocol (unstable boats, tires for example, etc.) ...
- if, in the event of a rapid emersion, the return to the boat is difficult (current, waves, turpitude of the water, mist, night, etc.).

NITROX WEEKEND

For this unique project, there is no recommendation or literature: 5 endocrinologists divers and 15 people with type 1 diabetes were present and performed 5 nitrox dives, with evaluation of the necessary therapeutic modifications and especially the monitoring of blood glucose curves for then propose tables of recommendations as we have already done with compressed air dives.
The goal of the association is clear: to collect new data in order to continue to evolve the texts.

More: www.diabeteplongee.com

DAVID ZIRAH: SHARING A PASSION AGAINST WINDS AND TIDES

At 34 years, this Grasse left his graphic designer job in advertising. Although diabetic, he passed his State diving certificate at CREPS Antibes in October 2011.
"I wanted to share my passion but also to advance research to prove that by taking a few precautions, we can be a diver and diabetic. I started diving in 1998, then in 2002 appeared my insulin-dependent diabetes. This did not prevent me from going through the different levels as everyone until the supervision diploma. You must not hide your illness, otherwise, if there is a problem, the people who accompany you will not know how to react. Before diving, you have to test your sugar level, take some concentrated milk, and if you have the slightest doubt about its shape, do not go down. It is important to know how to be reasonable. Underwater, I'm happy, I forget everything, I do not think diving is bad for my diabetes, quite the opposite. "

More: www.dive4all.fr

Text: Manuel Lewin