Disabilities & SCUBA

[Yidaki]

Hello. An occupational therapist friend of mine is interested in scuba for kids with disabilities, especially kids with cerebral palsy. I'm going to investigate these resources (Handicapped Scuba Association International, International Association for Handicapped Divers, and Eels on Wheels), but I thought I'd ask your advice, too. She wants to know if it's dangerous to take these kids 10 feet down, and she wants to know how scuba affects the physiology of a kid with CP.

Thanks!

[jenfu]

I would also suggest looking at Stay-Focused (I'm the medical advisor for this organization) and The DiveHeart Foundation - Home. Cerebral palsy alone does not pose a problem for scuba diving. However, children with cerebral palsy often have problems associated with the cerebral palsy that may pose a problem. For example, some children with CP had been on ventilators if they were premature thus causing bronchopulmonary dysplasia (which then causes problems like reactive airway disease/asthma). If severe enough, this may be a problem with diving. They may also have seizure disorders that would disqualify them.
Others may have ventriculoperitoneal shunts relieving pressure on the brain from excess fluid. Shunts have been shown to work at up to 4 atm of pressure and if your friend is planning on bringing kids down to only 10 feet, VP shunts should not be a problem (but not all manufactured shunts have been tested in hyperbaric conditions). If they have other implantable devices such as Baclofen pumps, then 10 feet may be deep enough to cause a problem.
There are too many factors to discuss in a short post. The point is that cerebral palsy alone should not be a problem with diving but medical issues associated with the CP may pose a problem. Each person's medical history needs to be evaluated individually in the context of diving.
It is wonderful that your friend would like to bring SCUBA to children who may otherwise not have the opportunity. I would be happy to discuss medical issues in more detail if she would like to contact me.

Originally Posted by Yidaki

Hello. An occupational therapist friend of mine is interested in scuba for kids with disabilities, especially kids with cerebral palsy. I'm going to investigate these resources (Handicapped Scuba Association International, International Association for Handicapped Divers, and Eels on Wheels), but I thought I'd ask your advice, too. She wants to know if it's dangerous to take these kids 10 feet down, and she wants to know how scuba affects the physiology of a kid with CP.

Thanks!

[jenfu]

If your friend has access to medical literature, she may find this article helpful:
Cheng JF, Diamond M: SCUBA diving for individuals wih disabilities. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2005; 84: 369-375.
Cheers,
-JenFu

Originally Posted by jenfu

I would also suggest looking at Stay-Focused (I'm the medical advisor for this organization) and The DiveHeart Foundation - Home. Cerebral palsy alone does not pose a problem for scuba diving. However, children with cerebral palsy often have problems associated with the cerebral palsy that may pose a problem. For example, some children with CP had been on ventilators if they were premature thus causing bronchopulmonary dysplasia (which then causes problems like reactive airway disease/asthma). If severe enough, this may be a problem with diving. They may also have seizure disorders that would disqualify them.
Others may have ventriculoperitoneal shunts relieving pressure on the brain from excess fluid. Shunts have been shown to work at up to 4 atm of pressure and if your friend is planning on bringing kids down to only 10 feet, VP shunts should not be a problem (but not all manufactured shunts have been tested in hyperbaric conditions). If they have other implantable devices such as Baclofen pumps, then 10 feet may be deep enough to cause a problem.
There are too many factors to discuss in a short post. The point is that cerebral palsy alone should not be a problem with diving but medical issues associated with the CP may pose a problem. Each person's medical history needs to be evaluated individually in the context of diving.
It is wonderful that your friend would like to bring SCUBA to children who may otherwise not have the opportunity. I would be happy to discuss medical issues in more detail if she would like to contact me.

[omega3]

I think the only disability would be not able to enjoy scuba in some form or other. If scuba fails go for surface supplied.
Good luck

[Jon]

I've helped run Discover Scuba's for people with CP- both kids and adults. As long as they have a doctor's waiver they really seem to love it. For some it was the most liberating thing they've ever done- no wheel chairs required underwater.

Jon

[Yidaki]

Thank you all for replies espaecially Jenfu thank you so much for your great explanation, definitely, we will keep in touch with you in case we need more info..
Jon, u r the man, everything about underwater u r right there...
Cheers,
Burak