MEDICAL FAQs

QUESTION

ANSWER

Having HIV/AIDS shouldn’t, in this day and age, prevent you from doing anything, and is certainly not a bar to diving. There are some special considerations though. Firstly, even in otherwise unaffected individuals, there are often subtle changes in a variety of brain functions, for example behavioural and motor skills, eye movement, coordination and spatial orientation. These may be exacerbated in the underwater environment and could potentially threaten safety. Secondly, no doubt many divers will relate to the bloodstained snot/spittle that emerges from masks on surfacing, and this is a potential (although unproven) route of transmission of the virus. Thirdly, some of the drugs that are used to treat HIV have side effects that may mimic symptoms of DCI – typically tinglings in the extremities, aches in muscles and joint pains – which may cause diagnostic confusion if a bend is suspected. Indeed these symptoms can occur as part of AIDS itself. And finally there is also the question of an increased susceptibility to infections. Venomous marine critters are no respectors of a compromised immune system and may cause longlasting and severe illnesses.

All that sounds pretty gloomy, but in reality many of these problems do not seem to have materialised in individuals whose HIV is under control, such as yourself. Suitable assessment prior to diving ought to pick up those with complications likely to endanger themselves or their fellow divers. The virus doesn’t survive for more than a few minutes outside the body, so buddy breathing techniques and use of rental regulators (which are regularly disinfected) pose no real risk. So if you are in good overall health, there’s no reason you shouldn’t start taking lessons.

QUESTION

ANSWER

Having HIV/AIDS shouldn’t, in this day and age, prevent you from doing anything, and is certainly not a bar to diving. There are some special considerations though. Firstly, even in otherwise unaffected individuals, there are often subtle changes in a variety of brain functions, for example behavioural and motor skills, eye movement, coordination and spatial orientation. These may be more noticeable in the underwater environment and could potentially threaten safety. Secondly, no doubt many divers will recognise the bloodstained snot/spittle that emerges from masks on surfacing, and this is a potential (although unproven) route of transmission of the virus. However, it doesn’t survive for more than a few minutes outside the body, so buddy breathing techniques and use of rental regulators (which are regularly disinfected) pose no real risk. Thirdly, some of the drugs that are used to treat HIV have side effects that may mimic symptoms of DCI – typically tinglings in the extremities, aches in muscles and joint pains – which may cause diagnostic confusion if a bend is suspected. Indeed these symptoms can occur as part of AIDS itself. And finally there is also the question of an increased susceptibility to infections. Venomous marine critters are no respectors of a compromised immune system and may cause long-lasting and severe illnesses.

All that sounds pretty gloomy, but in reality many of these problems do not seem to have materialised in individuals whose HIV is under control, such as yourself. Suitable assessment prior to diving ought to pick up those with complications likely to endanger themselves or their fellow divers. Get a medical done with a diving doc, tell them all the facts, and if they sign you off then insurance shouldn’t be a problem. So if you are in good overall health, there’s no reason you shouldn’t start taking lessons.