Spirometry for diving

[Ranidolphin]

Hi all,

I am an occupational diver in Singapore and I went for my yearly dive medical. I passed all tests except the Spirometry test. The FEV1/FVC result in order to pass must be >75%. I have passed everything previously and this is the first year I did not pass the Spirometry test. My results were between 65-72%. Apparently I vary from between normal limits to mild obstruction. I have no history of shortness of breath, asthma or copd and am a non smoker. I am 29yr female who has been diving for 15yrs. The dive doctor had scheduled me to see a respiratory specialist to rule out any other problems. Do you know what tests they might conduct? Is it possible to develop asthma and copd later in life? And most important, will I still be able to dive?

[caregiver222]

You pose an interesting question and situation. You may or may not be aware that many "drowning" victims have no water in the lungs. A small amount of seawater into the trachea causes a laryngospasm. Essentially an asthmatic attack closing off the airway. Seawater inadverantly inhaled down the trachea into the lung can cause a "twitchy lung". The question is whether or not this is a transient or permanant condition. I don't know.

There is an additional factor. Historically, a lung that is "sensitized" may be unpredictable in the future.  You might try a few days of oral prednisone * (in consultation with a physician)  to "settle down" the lung wait a month and re-take the test. Although it is not an approved use you might use Foradil only before you go diving. It will open up the airways

[ScalpMassager]

Are your lungs being subjected to impure air such as secondhand smoke (living with or working with a smoker who smokes indoors), environmental chemicals, or mold spores?   If so, then developing asthma and/or copd later in life would not be exceptional for many people imo.  

Indeed, earlier this year I met a women in hospital, a non-smoker, who was tending her husband's last days there (he was at end stage for COPD and died the next day), and found that she too had acquired COPD and was now being actively treated for it (her husband smoked in their home).

A household HEPA air filter, at least in the bedroom area for when you're sleeping would be a temporary measure to contend with household mold spores (but finding and removing the mold along with its cause, ought not be unduly delayed if mold's an issue).