#1 Reason for Scuba Diver Deaths is Preventable! (Are you fit to dive?)

[@erikgartzke7600]

So much appreciate your sharing publicly and of course recovering. It was wonderful to see you in the water! I had a "massive" heart attack last year (50s, fit -- ran 6 half marathons in the year before the attack). Fortunately, I was not diving at the time. Getting back in the water was tough but very rewarding. Your willingness to share about the mental/emotional aspects is generous, brave and comforting to other survivors. Thank you.

[@everythingscuba]

Thanks for sharing Erik. Glad you too found your way back underwater!

[@johnmontgomery2735]

So glad to see things are looking up for you. I would love to hear more about types of exercise that is best around post dives or on a dive vacation. I will be in Bonaire for 2 weeks in October and would love to know the best practices. All the best !!

[@SummersideDiver]

Thank you for your vulnerability and courage to share your experience with us. By sharing this information you truly are helping raise awareness and giving the community great information about health and safety in diving. It was great to see you back in the water!!

[@Themarriedbachelor]

When I say your title page about fit to dive with a body builder on it I was going to rip into you because you don’t have to be that fit to dive. But everything you say is spot on. 👍

[@nat9232]

Glad to see things are looking up and you’ve been cleared to dive! I would be very interested in a video on the types of exercise and best times to schedule workouts around dives

[@stevemichel801]

Yes I would be interested in a work out schedule. What would be the best times. Thanks for another great and educational video.

[@azaram5571]

Scary thing to have to go through. I could imagine the devastation at the thought that you'd not be able to dive again! It's a good reminder for me of why I train boxing and why I definitely need to get back into it once I'm out of our current lockdown. Glad you pulled through, and thanks for updating us.

[@robbielakey4844]

Yes please! Id love to know how best a dive instructor, who works 5/6 days a week should keep fit

[@timgosling6189]

Here in UK it's dry suit for all my diving, except when I go abroad. With a twin 12-litre rig I'm carrying around 44kg on my back and wearing another 10kg, in American that's about 120lb. And although I'm effectively weightless in the water, that inertial mass hasn't gone away so fitness and strength are important. A while back I wore a heart rate monitor as an experiment and the results surprised me. I'm 63, 154 lb, measured max HR 170, resting HR 40, VO2 Max 46. On kitting up my HR went rapidly from 60 to 154 and then eased when I was in the water, but only to 90-95. The dive was 70 minutes bimbling around, no current, down to 85 ft then 45 ft, water temp 42 - 50 F. My HR went back up to 150 climbing out. At no time was I conscious of being particularly stressed but I think the HR numbers show that was a pretty good work-out! So CV and strength training are important but I also exercise for endurance under load, such as if I might be towing someone to shore. On the other hand, when I jump in in the Caribbean with an ali 63 and a shorty wetsuit I feel like I'm 19 again!

[@everythingscuba]

Some amazing numbers there Tim. Thanks for sharing. Certainly goes to prove that diving is not an easy non- strenuous event!

[@ivoryjohnson4662]

Tim I have a similar setup here in the ‘States. I live in the middle of the country so it’s mostly quarry diving unless I go to Florida or southern Alabama both are 14 hour drives each way. I guess I am a big guy and need the air I use a dry suit for most of my dives as the water stays in the 60F once you go below 20 feet (3 or so meters) it starts dropping fast 40F even in the summer. My gear weighs about the same. I am looking at rebreather maybe that will be the way for me.

[@websiteckron8591]

I am now in menopause and feel tired all the time. Plus I stopped physical training. I am a bit nervous to go diving with friends in a few weeks. I remember how heavy the gear was.

[@stevemichel801]

I agree. We don't spend enough time talk about dive health. I know I could do alot more to lower my SAC rate. Glad your back in the water.

[@bowdrillaz]

I train regulary to reach my own standard fitness for diving. Very much cardio related training. You can feel the difference when you swim hard under water, the heartbeats are nice and calm. I also check my bloodpressure regulary. Glad that you recovered well!

[@mikesbigadventures194]

Thanks for the shout out Lyell. So glad you are back at it. Keep these great videos coming

[@everythingscuba]

Your story was inspirational. Thanks Mike!

[@skzion2]

This is a very important topic. I didn't know about the incidence of scuba death from cardio event. I think I should improve my fitness.

[@lydialeigh4]

Very nice to see you back in the water again! Well done. Also glad to see the discussion on both physical and mental health being important factors in safe diving practices. These two topics are not discussed nearly enough. Look forward forward to hearing more from you and DAN in upcoming videos.

[@logistictime7846]

The very important but not an obviously problem for many people's/divers. They even didn't know about factors that increase DKB

[@giampaolodegregorio9902]

Good topic, Gelad you recover so well this is inspiring, for everyone had some problem, or is not very fit, Could be very interesting to know when around the dive is best do exercise, thank you for your videos

[@everythingscuba]

Thanks for your kind comment! Here is our newest video all about you exercise and diving: kzbin.info/www/bejne/laWZpaxniK91bbM

[@nathanjohnson9231]

Glad you're feeling better and cleared to dive. I appreciate you talking about taking care of our mental health, and its relation to physical health. For many it's still a taboo topic, but it is just as important as physical health, and they influence each other greatly. Looking forward to your videos with DAN.

[@everythingscuba]

Too often the mental aspect of our health is overlooked or shunned as if it’s a taboo topic. Thanks for your kind words Nathan!

[@BAMFSQUAD]

Yeaaaa bro glad to see ur underwater again 🙌 dive safe my friend

[@poweryacker]

Hello Lyle, I have a question about ulcerative colitis and diving. Should I be concerned with this condition, what do I need to know? Thanks for sharing all your knowledge! ~ Sam

[@everythingscuba]

Sam, thanks for your question. We can’t give specific medical advice on this topic. We’d urge you to speak with your physician or someone through the DAN organization that could advise you in a professional capacity.

[@SeattleRingHunter]

Topic for discussion. On going leg cramps. Better hydration, better diet, specific weight training / exercises, stretching and massage techniques and when to realize an individual may need to consult with an MD to ensure there isn’t others concerns or issues related to excessive leg cramps. Cheers, #SeattleRingHunter

[@jesspeoples3292]

I lap swim three or four days a week to maintain my level of fitness to go diving. Happy diving.

[@ivoryjohnson4662]

Glad to see you made it through great advice on how to dive most of us are older that have the time and resources to get into diving unless we got family btw DAN member 5 years now

[@luisandresarce2534]

Glad you are better and back in the water!

[@markbuehl3163]

Don't fail to take into account your Prostate. I was working as DM for classes and ended up in the ER for bladder retention after a night of classes in a Shallow Pool!! Had surgery for enlarged Prostate last week and hoping to get back in the water by the end of the month. Pay attention to your ENTIRE body!!

[@markusknorr6497]

I had a similar experience just 4 weeks ago. During my tech nitrox course on the third dive i experienced severe breathing difficulties combined with pressure in my chest. I first tried to calm myself and solve the issue under water. Five minutes later i called the dive. When we got out of the water my SpO2 was only 80% and the heart rate 130. Got pure oxygen immidiately and the instruktor called the ambulance. In the hospital they found out that my troponin was over 800 what got me a chopper ride to the chest pain unit in Mainz university hospital. Surprisingly not a heart attack but the result of myocarditis after a virus infection propably unrecogniced corona. Will put me out of the water for the rest of this year but have a chance of full recovery according to the cardiologists. A humbling experience 😮

[@everythingscuba]

+Markus Knörr that’s terrifying story and I’m so glad you are ok! You juts never know the moment right? Thank you for sharing Markus!

[@Aquaticdiscoveryscuba23]

Thanks for another video. I am passing you around to all My dive buddies

[@everythingscuba]

Much appreciated mate! Where abouts in Scotland are you from? I grew up in Newton Stewart not far from Stranraer.

[@Biodoc100]

Please do the video on timing/types of exercise around diving. Could be really helpful in combating the stereotype of diving being an "old fat man sport" by showing people how to do it safely and improve their diving!

[@mikedavies4694]

Lol ... 59 yr old fat guy here.

[@ivoryjohnson4662]

57 year old old fat guy here

[@josesolis5803]

Thank God for giving the strength to continue blessing

[@calkelpdiver]

Physical fitness for diving is essential, even for lazy diving in warm waters. I taught in SoCal in the 90's and was always working to stay in shape. Beach diving every weekend with students meant I had to be on top of things. Good cardio workouts help, and some weight training as well. Cardio can be running, swimming, biking, or even fast walking. Getting a good nights sleep is important as well. Nothing worse than being fatigued before you dive. Also, watch your alcohol consumption, especially the night before a dive. Nothing worse than being dehydrated and hung over, your a danger to yourself and everyone else. Now the truth... I moved inland in mid-2000 (like, Colorado inland) and only taught sporadically for a couple of years. My job caused me to travel a lot, so my diet went to crap and my exercise routine was sporadic. So, when I get around to doing a trip I've got to spend a few months in advance getting my self into "dive shape". Meaning I need to swim a lot to build up those muscles, lose some weight, and work on my lung capacity/endurance. My body is also a piece of equipment I need to maintain and make sure is in good working shape. We always promote diving as this easy thing anyone can do. That is a failing we need to get better about. Diving is a physical activity, and you need to be in relatively decent shape to do it. Also, mentally you need to know how to relax quickly, not panic, and deal with situations properly when they arise. I'm not going to just go out and hike/climb a "Fourteener" in a whim, it requires proper preparation and self-training. Same for diving.

[@SFROFRO-if4xj]

Thank you 💖

[@SeattleRingHunter]

I have been told cycling can be very beneficial as a low impact expertise routine to increased cardio vascular health that has real benefits for a diver. Cheers, #SeattleRingHunter

[@kenmh7357]

I am not afraid to die, although 2 minutes of drowning would s@ck, but my reason for staying, relatively, healthy ,and getting cleared to dive every year, is that don't want to put my fellow divers at risk. Welcome back to the best sport in the world!

[@kenmh7357]

Great video, welcome back to the best sport in the world! Did you get vaccinated, potential cause of cardiomyopathy

[@everythingscuba]

That was discussed with Mayo cardiology. I was vaccinated in February. My symptoms and presentation and timing don’t fit the usual cardiac issues they have see with COVID vaccines.

[@stevemichel801]

Question. At what age should you start getting yearly dive physical

[@marineboyocean]

About 60 assuming you have no other medical issues and are reasonably fit.

[@marineboyocean]

Ps I’m 55 and I now get a Dive Medical which is valid for 2 years as I’m doing Tech Diving.

[@benheckendorn2696]

I would love to know more about the workouts. Sadly I'm quite new to your channel, so I just heard about your heart attack. I hope you are fine, please take good care of you. 😔

[@everythingscuba]

Ben I am doing fine and have been cleared to return to normal activities. No restrictions on diving thankfully! Thanks for you comment and concerns. Here is video we put together taking about exercise and diving: kzbin.info/www/bejne/laWZpaxniK91bbM

[@saadsheikh5355]

Lovely 😍

[@Robertxcapricorn]

Nice T-schirt😜 Bubble gum is in NL a very tasty weed 😜😜😜👍🏼👍🏼

[@lindaolenzek4143]

😂

[@georgeibanez8117]

I am a 62 male in great health and fast walk 30 miles per week, and do weight training 3 days per week ,and I dive every weekend, do you think that I should go to a cardiologist to see if it is safe to dive, you just freak me out with this video.....

[@everythingscuba]

George it sounds like you are doing everything right man! Just keep up with you normal doctor check ups!

[@ftothel794]

Hi everyone! Stay healthy so you can dive safely. I hope this article can help a little. www.tdisdi.com/tdi-diver-news/be-fit-to-dive/ Cheers!

[@Aquaticdiscoveryscuba23]

Def a work out video would be good.

[@Friedolays]

So, i mean i appreciate your videos, but do you "really" workout?

[@everythingscuba]

Well DF I’m not the most svelte guy in the world. Losing my entire thyroid 3 years ago has made it tough to look like a 20 year old again. But yeah I do “really” workout. 3 days strength and 3 days cardio per week. Thanks for watching and your question. (Wish we could all have Adonis like bodies for everyone to admire!)

[@paulgee8253]

“ I had a heart attack”and “I’m obviously in good cardio-vascular health” don’t belong in the same sentence.

[@everythingscuba]

Then you obviously don’t understand Takotsubo syndrome.

[@FJayfarer]

@@everythingscuba Spot on!

[@acem7749]

I see a lot of obesity in diving.