Skydiving and Asthma

[bluepill 0]

Hi all

After a 2 year break I intend to come back to skydiving very soon. However, I was recently (1 year ago) diagnosed with Asthma.

The preventers and relievers given to me by my Doctor have stopped and controlled any attacks.

I cant seem to find any information about the effects of asthma on skydiving. My Doctor will sign me fit and well to jump but has no other advice to give.

Is there anyone who can offer advice or experience in dealing with the effects of asthma while skydiving. (E.G Would I need to carry a reliever to altitude?)

Mike

[Rdutch 0]

I have astma, have had it since I was 5. Now Im older I dont get attacks much, but I still have had them. And I actually find the cold clean fresh air soothing. Now I havent had a serious attack in 15 years but with the mild weeze I dont have any problems.

Ray

Ray
Small and fast what every girl dreams of!

[ERICCONNELLY 0]

Have a pocket sewn onto your jumpsuit for your inhaler.
Even if you don't have issues in freefall or under canopy, what if you land out (in a field of something that triggers an attack?)
Better to be prepared.

[ladyskydiver 0]

I have asthma and keep an inhaler with me. I have it in my gear bag, but if I felt the need, I would not hesitate to bring it with me to altitude. Make sure your jumpsuit has a pocket sewn into it to carry the inhaler.

Life is short! Break the rules! Forgive quickly! Kiss slowly! Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably. And never regret anything that made you smile.

[Clownburner 0]

All good advice here. Don't leave your inhaler behind, and don't skip your medication on a day you're going to jump. With a little caution, you should be able to enjoy skydiving like anyone else.

Cheers!

7CP#1 | BTR#2 | Payaso en fuego Rodriguez
"I want hot chicks in my boobies!"- McBeth

[Topcat 0]

Keep your medication close, but don't sweat it. I have had asthma forever; not only do I skydive, I scuba dive. Scuba diving for a long time did not allow asthmatics to participate. However I had a doctor (one who is trained in diving medicine) evaluate me and have never had a problem in either sport.

-Sandy

[FallnAngel 0]

I've had asthma since I was little...my attacks have lessened in frequency & intensity over the years, but I still carry an inhaler with me. I've had problems on the ride to altitude before, but have always been able to deal with it well enough to continue the jump. I haven't noticed a problem in freefall (too much else going on I think!!) I've thought about carrying my "puffer" with me on the dive, but haven't done that yet. If I notice a problem starting while I'm still on the ground..I simply don't jump. I don't want to take the chance of it getting worse while I'm in the air, plus I like to put all my attention on the skydive!

I think you'll be fine...just keep your meds with you, and know yourself well enough to know when to take things down a level or two.

Blue skies,
Karen

[neiliss 0]

I inherited asthma from my mother and have had it since I was about 2 years old. I suffered alot for years and was kept out of alot of other sports because of it. I took my asthma spray up with me on my first couple of jumps, mainly for psychological reasons I think, but then one day decided not too. I have no hassles on the plane, or in freefall and under canopy, however I do think that if I land out of the DZ I might be a little stressed having to walk all the way back without it. I am particularly concerned in cold seasons as that is when I suffer the most. I have also yet to jump in winter so I might take my inhaler up with me then.

I would go with a pocket on my jumpsuit and carry my inhaler with me if I felt the need. No reason to be without it until you feel ready.

Cheers
Neil

[bluepill 0]

Wow Im amazed at the responses, I think I felt rather alone with the problem. Its comforting to know that Im not and moreover with a liitle care, it really is not a problem after all.

I'll certainly be having a pocket sewn on my jumpsuit to carry an inhaler, even if I dont need it, it will always give me peace of mind. I think the most important thing I have gained from your responses is to know myself well enough to know when or when not to jump.

Thanks to everyone who have replied and if enyone else has any other advice or experiences to share then I look forward to reading more.

[jmpnkramer 0]

Hey Dude:

I have had asthma for sometime. I was on active duty military with it and all. I saw someone post about psychological effects. I truly believe that a majority of attacks are psychological.

I never jump without my inhaler on me. If you get injured you might want to have it on you. The stress of an injury might cause you to have a bad attack. This would be especially true if you got hurt off the DZ and it took some time to find you.

Always remember it is better to have it and not need it then need it and not have it.

As long as you respect the illness it can be controlled. Just follow your Doctors advice and what your own body tells you. If it is not comfortable for you stop and re-evaluate. There are always other days.

Blue Skies and Soft Landing!!!!

Sincerely,

Kramer

The REAL KRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMER!

"HESITATION CAUSES DEATH!!!"
"Be Slow to Fall into Friendship; but when Thou Art in, Continue Firm & Constant." - SOCRATES

[mccordia 74]

I've had Astma my whole life, been hospitalized quite a few times for lengthy periods due to in-abillety to get anough air into my system. Got pretty bad a few times. In short...I got it pretty bad...:)

When I strated skydiving 2 uears ago I was pretty scared about what would happen at altitude (lack of air?) but since I started on S/L I just only went up to 3.000/7.000 ft for the first 40 jumps or so.

I then asked a JM who knew I had Astma to keep an eye on me the whole way up to 12.000 ft, just to make sure I didn't pass out or anything.
Due to a holding we went to 13.000 (normaly you'd be happy, but it got me pretty frustrated at the moment) But I was fine, didn't have any problems.

My doctor had already told me beforehand that (if I'm not sick) my longcapacity/functioning on 12.000 ft or so would probably be the same as someone who smokes...(if you smoke AND have astma, like one f*ckup I know, then your asking for trouble)

i must advice NOT TO TAKE YOU INHALER UP IN THE PLANE.
It's a canister that's under pressure, taking it to 12.000 ft probably aint the brightest idea.
Just take it before your jump (since stuff like Ventolin/Salbutamol takes a while to take effects anyways) or ask for roto-disk versions (powder instead of presurized containers)

Just on the safe side, I have astma pretty bad and quite frequently have problems with it (coughing/no air/get pneumonia and shit like that pretty fast), but I do sport a lot. If you have astma and do nothing to stay fit (enlarging your long-capacity) you could get intro trouble.

Hope you do fine..
Cya,

JC
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