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Several individuals will be required to make some concessions or adaptations to their lives after being diagnosed with epilepsy to safeguard their well-being. Of course, we all have an immediate question: what is it? Is it possible for someone who has been diagnosed with epilepsy to participate in sports and other interests as they used to?
The fact is that an epileptic person can continue to enjoy his or her hobbies or sports under major conditions with minor adjustments.
Can You Scuba Dive if You Have Epilepsy?
Scuba diving is one of the most popular activities among the general public. Unfortunately, scuba diving is not recommended for people who have epilepsy. Scuba diving specialists or management do not allow epileptic individuals to scuba dive for the sake of the sufferer’s safety and life.
An important point for an epileptic to grasp is that it is also unlikely that you would be able to acquire diving insurance to protect you in the event of harm or death.
Why Should Epilepsy Patients Avoid Scuba Diving?
One may be asking why it isn’t recommended to scuba dive if you suffer from epilepsy, and the explanation is precisely what you might think. Due to the complexities of scuba diving, individuals may become trapped in unsafe underwater postures, which might be fatal if a seizure happens deep.
Scuba diving is not recommended for people who experience seizures because of the risk of having a seizure underwater. Having a seizure underwater is perilous and may result in death, especially if the diver has epilepsy.
The likelihood of experiencing a seizure can potentially be enhanced when diving due to a multitude of potential triggers such as exhaustion, mental stress, psychological torture, nervousness, and hyperventilation, all of which are frequent while diving. It’s all about managing risk, and the danger of scuba diving is just too great to take excessively.
Each medical problem that causes a change in awareness or the unexpected appearance of neurological problems is incompatible with diving. The danger of drowning seems to be too great. Any complications beneath the water might cause a quick rise and decompression sickness, putting both the diver and his friends in danger. There are additional worries about the potential of the underwater environment to interact with anti-epilepsy medicine.
Can I dive if I’ve experienced epilepsy in the past?
If you suffer from epilepsy and have been off medication for five years and haven’t had an episode, then you may be able to dive. Do you have episodes of seizures only at night? If so, you can do scuba diving provided you have been off medications. Yet another condition is that you should be seizure-free for three years at least. You also need to produce or submit a medical certificate from a diving doctor in case you have had epilepsy in the past.
Any exceptions
Most diving authorities would not permit a person with epilepsy to dive, irrespective of how long it has been since their previous seizure. A relatively small percentage will contemplate it, but only after five years of no seizures following drug withdrawal. The authorities would not allow an epileptic individual to dive the most Because there are several risks involved with the individual’s scuba diving, specialists just say “no” to sufferers.
There are some exceptions when we delve deep into the details. Some diving authorities may authorize, although this is not a large group, the epileptic individual after thorough reviews of the person’s background and physician recommendations. Before issuing a green signal, the authors conduct a thorough examination of the case history. The individual follows a perfect evaluation and personal check-up before allowing him to dive. However, it is not an easy task for an epileptic patient to gain permission to dive, and he has to undergo several tests and guarantees before diving.
Despite a handful of exemptions, as discussed above, we highly advise anybody with epilepsy to contemplate the increased danger they would be placing themselves in. Yes, given the hazards involved in scuba diving, the individual must ponder several times before engaging in the sport. Taking a quick and light decision is not wise for the individual. So, he must be very careful in his decision to get involved in scuba diving.
Alternative Physical Activities to Scuba Diving
The preceding explanation serves as a strong reminder that epileptic patients should not dive without significant consideration. Even after rigorous analysis, it is risky, and so it is essential to consider alternatives for an epileptic individual. Yes, planning activities for an epileptic person is an unavoidable part of his pleasant existence. Instead of scuba diving, the person can get involved in other fun and useful activities they like.
While scuba diving isn’t a possibility for people with epilepsy, there are numerous other sports and hobbies to appreciate! Proven viable options, as long as adequate measures are taken and safety equipment is used, are chosen for the individual. It includes:
- All forms of biking
- Activities involving physical connection (football, rugby, basketball)
- Activities without physical touch (tennis, cricket)
- Strolling, running, and jogging
Read my article about alternatives to scuba diving.
Points to Consider
Swimming and other scuba-diving activities are generally not recommended for epileptic people. It is also dangerous and may end in death. As a result, the utmost security and safety precautions must be employed for these individuals to appreciate the game to some level.
As a solution, one could be able to experience the feeling of diving in a controlled situation, like a pool, providing adequate safeguards are taken and immediate assistance is possible.
Conclusion
People suffering from epilepsy may have symptoms varying from trance-like states to loss of awareness and seizures. A few individuals may not have the symptoms of epilepsy for several years but are nonetheless at a higher risk of getting one at some point. As a result, epileptic patients must use extreme caution while engaging in scuba diving, even after serious thinking. This essay provides all you need to know to answer the question, “Can you scuba dive with epilepsy?” Take care.
