Scuba diving is a relaxing and enjoyable sport that even people with serious disabilities can enjoy on a limited basis. The question is, is it a sport that is suitable for people who suffer from epilepsy or other seizure disorders? Let’s take a look.
A Case by Case Basis
Epilepsy is a condition in which seizures can happen at any time, including while underwater. In the event a diver with epilepsy or another seizure disorder lost consciousness underwater, death by drowning could very likely occur. Loss of the regulator or breath holding during ascent while rescue efforts are underway could pose serious risks, as could cardiac arrest and distance from medical attention. Even if a person with a known history of seizures has not suffered a seizure or episode for several years, his or her likelihood of developing problems while diving is greater than the remainder of the diving population.
Some associations, such as the British Sub-Aqua Club, accept medical clearances for individuals who have been on no seizure medication and who have been seizure free for five years, or, for three years, so long as the last seizure occurred while the subject was asleep. Many diving physicians are not likely to encourage people with seizure disorders to dive since risks are elevated, and the outcome of taking chances could be deadly.
In some cases, a previous history of seizures does not preclude diving. If a seizure was an isolated episode in which activity occurred after fainting and blood flow to the brain caused the seizure activity, this is not considered to be a seizure disorder; instead, it is considered to have been a trauma.
In cases during which the subject suffered acute low blood pressure, low blood sugar, or took medication or experimented with recreational drugs, leading to unconsciousness or seizure, and in cases when a fever before the age of 5 preceded a seizure, diving is not considered to be any riskier than it is to others since these are typically isolated incidents.
Diving Increases Seizure Risk
There are a number of stimuli which can independently precipitate seizures, and many of those risks are commonly encountered in the underwater environment. They include:
- Flashing Lights
- Sensory Deprivation
- Hyperventilation
- Hypoventilation
Your central nervous system plays a vital role in keeping you safe underwater, and any type of brain disorder that comes along with the inability to concentrate or maintain sustained attention over a period of time can put you at risk for injury, accident, or death. While people with seizure disorders are normally completely capable of learning how to dive, the brain’s potential for shutting down during a dive is there, no matter how long it has been since the last seizure.
Any loss of awareness or loss of consciousness while diving causes the risk of death, and as an epileptic seizure or other seizure episode can occur without warning, the risk is amplified. Anti-seizure medications act directly on the brain and can also interact with the nitrogen which can saturate tissues during dives, producing unexpected side effects. When diving with mixed breathing gases or nitrox, the increased partial pressures of oxygen, as well as an increase in carbon dioxide levels, can increase the risk of seizure.
It is vital to make an informed decision about whether diving is safe or not. Discussions with doctors, including neurologists, can help to shed some light on your individual case; ultimately, the decision as to whether you should dive or not is up to you, your loved ones, and your health care providers.