Diabetes Mellitus and Diving
Divers with diabetes mellitus may have a hypoglycaemic attack while in the
water, which may be fatal to himself or to his diving partner. The hypoglycaemic
attack
may be brought on by poor control of the diabetic condition or by an increase
in physiological stress due to exercise, cold, etc.
The BSAC Medical Committee has decided that diabetics may be allowed to dive provided that they are able to pass the standard BSAC medical examination and in addition, satisfy the following criteria:
1. The diabetic has not experienced any hypoglycaemic attack within the last year.
2. The diabetic has not been hospitalised for any reason connected with diabetes in the last year.
3. The physician in charge of the diabetic at the diabetic clinic must consider the level of control to be satisfactory. This implies that the long-term control of the diabetic condition must be good. A guide to this may be obtained from the HbA or fructosamine level. The physician must also be able to state that he/she considers the potential diabetic diver to be mentally and physically fit to undertake the sport of diving.
4. There must be no microalbuminuria present. Any degree of retinopathy beyond background retinopathy is not allowed. There must be no evidence of neuropathy (sensory, motor or automatic), nor of vascular or microvascular disease beyond the background retinopathy in the eye.
The potential diabetic diver should obtain forms A and B from BSAC HQ, together
with a leaflet which should be given to the BSAC Branch Diving Officer on successful
completion of the medical. Form A must be filled in by the diver on an annual
basis. Form B should be filled in by the physician in charge of the diabetic
diver and this too, must be done annually. A copy of both forms should be made
and returned to Dr C.J. Edge, The Stone Barn, Gravel Lane, Drayton, Abingdon,
Oxon OX14 4HY. The physician performing the BSAC medical examination should
be satisfied that the diver has a good knowledge of the risks being undertaken
when diving, which are due to the diver’s diabetic condition.
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