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Alert Diver is the dive industry’s leading publication. Featuring DAN’s core content of dive safety, research, education and medical information, each issue is a must-read reference, archived and shared by passionate scuba enthusiasts. In addition, Alert Diver showcases fascinating dive destinations and marine environmental topics through images from the world’s greatest underwater photographers and stories from the most experienced and eloquent dive journalists in the business.
Alert Diver is the dive industry’s leading publication. Featuring DAN’s core content of dive safety, research, education and medical information, each issue is a must-read reference, archived and shared by passionate scuba enthusiasts. In addition, Alert Diver showcases fascinating dive destinations and marine environmental topics through images from the world’s greatest underwater photographers and stories from the most experienced and eloquent dive journalists in the business.
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safety. In a 2006 study of 420<br />
women by Marguerite St Leger<br />
Dowse and colleagues, 81 percent<br />
reported premenstrual tension,<br />
and 40 percent felt that their<br />
ability to perform was impaired.<br />
These researchers also found that<br />
feelings of panic, anxiety, loss of<br />
control, dizziness and cold were<br />
more pronounced in divers who<br />
were menstruating.<br />
For women who are feeling<br />
well and are not suffering from<br />
ancillary symptoms, diving<br />
with a menstrual cup should<br />
not present any additional dive<br />
safety concerns.<br />
— Lana Sorrell, EMT, DMT, and<br />
Frances Smith, EMT-P, DMT<br />
Q:<br />
I<br />
removed. Will this<br />
have varicose veins,<br />
which I want to have<br />
ISTOCKPHOTO.COM<br />
procedure present any problems<br />
relative to diving?<br />
A:<br />
Removing varicose veins<br />
does not present any<br />
particular problems for<br />
divers. No specific procedure is<br />
recommended for divers, because<br />
there is no need for any special<br />
consideration. Your doctor should<br />
use the procedure that best suits<br />
your clinical needs. A return to<br />
diving is appropriate after you<br />
have fully recovered from the<br />
procedure and you are released for<br />
full and unrestricted activity.<br />
— Marty McCafferty,<br />
EMT-P, DMT<br />
ISTOCKPHOTO.COM<br />
Q:<br />
I have hearing loss and<br />
tinnitus in both ears;<br />
the condition is most<br />
likely hereditary. I want to try<br />
scuba diving, but with these ear<br />
issues I am not sure I should.<br />
Can I dive? Should I see a<br />
specialist first?<br />
A:<br />
Whether someone with<br />
hearing loss and/or<br />
other hearing problems<br />
should dive is debated among<br />
professionals with relevant<br />
expertise. Some experts suggest<br />
that a person with preexisting<br />
hearing problems should not dive.<br />
This opinion is based on the idea<br />
that all divers place their hearing<br />
at risk of various injuries. Most<br />
of these injuries are preventable,<br />
but risk still exists. People with<br />
hearing loss are not necessarily<br />
at greater risk of injury than<br />
others, but the outcome of an<br />
injury might have much greater<br />
repercussions (e.g., total deafness).<br />
Other experts believe that if a<br />
potential diver fully understands<br />
and accepts the risks, he or she<br />
can consider diving. The risk<br />
involved is not quantifiable. Call<br />
the DAN medical information line<br />
at +1 (919) 684-2948 to learn more<br />
about the various ways ears can be<br />
injured in the dive environment.<br />
Speak with a knowledgeable local<br />
dive instructor who can help you<br />
ALERTDIVER.COM | 57
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