I'm asthmatic. Can I learn to scuba dive?

[Yorkiegirl]

Message withdrawn

My sister did the PADI course (first one?)and has asthma so I don't see why you couldn't.

Well when I was in Oz I was told no. I have very well controlled asthma but was told as they couldn't predict how my lungs would react the the compressed air and the whole pressure thing, that scubadiving was out.

That was 6 years ago though so things may have changed.

I am asthmatic (mild and very well managed ie never had a bad attack or been atmited to hospital)and when i lived in Austrialia was told I could not scuba unless i saw a GP who would perform a test. The test consisted of breathing in some chemical which i presume mimicked compressed air. I was fine. The test cost about $100 at the time (10 years ago) When i started my PADI I actually discovered that I would breathe really well and conrolled compared to other novice divers. I was told this was due to the fact I was used to being more aware ofmy breathing with the asthma. Often i would have much more air left than my buddy who was an experienced scuba diver.