Scuba diving help

[Gfe Juliette]

I am going to Key Largo in Jan. for some much needed leisure time. While I am there, I am going to do some scuba diving in the sunken ships. I am an advanced scuba diver but I am planning on getting my certificate for "search and rescue" diver while I am there. I am a bit nervous because I am afraid I may not succeed due to the fact that I have asthma. (No, PADI does not know of my condition). My question is to any divers out there would be, is the class difficult or strenuous? Should I get my certification for nitro oxygen instead? Any suggestions would be appreciated. ANYONE WANT TO JOIN ME?

Thanks
Juliette

[Ronin3]

My first questions would be, are you on medication? Oral? MDI? If so, how often? What are triggers...cold or exercise? When was last attack requiring treatment or hospitalization. I’ve been diving since I was 14. I’m 65. It was part of my job in the service. I’ll be diving in Thailand in 3 days. PM is better as I’m horrible at tracking threads

[BigBamboo]

Wreck diving is a certification alone. Have you obtained that already? You can dive wrecks without it at your own risk with a dive master who is willing to lead you but most reputable dive setups will only allow if certified because of the dangers involved. I was on my way to dive master cert at one point and wreck diving was one I really wanted to do.

I’ve not sought the S&R certification but yes it is more strenuous than most other certifications with exception of possibly deep diver. Nitrox (Enriched Air) is a good cert to get if you plan on wreck and deep dives.

To Ronin’s point about meds for your asthma is mainly what for you triggers it? Some people have asthma flare ups from allergens only while others may be induced by strenuous cardio.

[Unique_Carpenter]

Juliette,
In that nitro can trigger asthma attacks in a Dentist office, go for the rescue class. Yes a bit strenuous, but a nice build on the safety stuff you've seen in the lower level classes. And, there will be a bit on assisting divers that are having breathing difficulties. If you're already comfortable at the 90 foot level you should be ok.
As for the gas endorsement, I used mine once a long time ago. Unless you're living on the east coast and are super serious about deep diving, well...
Expanding on Bamboo's comment:
There's numerous wrecks at the 100/130 level up the mid-Atlantic coast. Gas not actually needed. And most dive boats are gonna want folks to have the safety course for wreck diving.

[oeb11]

GJ - an asthma attack underwater on scuba could be fatal - as an advanced diver you know this.

I suggest to you that a consultation with a pulmonologist and continuing care would be a very good idea - and be sure your asthma is under control when you dive.

Letting your divemaster know in case of emergency is a good idea. .
Me - I have had mild asthma and also scuba.

Take care of yourself .

[Fsn57]

I would recommend the Nitrox cert over the S&R. You don't have to dive deep to reap the benefits of Nitrox, in fact, your max depth is more limited with Nitrox than with Air, you can have longer stay times at depth though with the Nitrox. I use my Nitrox cert a lot, every trip I take I dive Nitrox. You won't have the fear of not passing due to physical exertion either, thus it would be a more relaxing trip for you to do the Nitrox over S&R.


But this assumes you're good to dive with your condition. As mentioned above, I would have a Dr check you out first. I've been on a trip where a diver didn't make it. It's no fun for everyone else on the trip either.