I have now had two heart opperations to fix atrial fibrilation. The last one being 9 months ago was totally successful and I have now got a great heart, it feels so obviously better. However, during the operation the surgeon froze the phrenic nerve. This nerve controls the diaphragm, and half my diaphragm was paralysed in full exhale position. This complication was said to take between 6 and 18 months to recover from as the nerve repaired itself during its period of inactivity.
Tests last week have confirmed that my diaphragm is now fully functioning and my surgeon said I could once again breath hold and freedive (after two years). So it was off to my doctor to get my medical signed. Unfortunately, my doctor is not a diving specialist and was not happy to sign my medical for diving, although he encouraged apnea and dynamic training in order to kick start the strengthening and awareness processes prior to getting deep. Depth could start after a period of preparation through training. When I am prepared to dive (and need a signed document to compete) , he will be happy to sign the medical.
The issue he has with signing the medical is quite unique. Because my diaphragm was paralised, it may now be very weak and may not have the strength to withstand pressure at 50m. If there is insufficient strength to hold the breath at that pressure, the result could be an involuntary reflex causing a full exhalation. This of course could be fatal as suddenly, I would become much more negatively bouyant at the same time as dumping the O2. The return trip would be very difficult, especially in an untrained state of ability. Of course, there is nothing to say that any failure of the diaphragm may happen at 25 or 30m.
Secondly, the diaphragm may not be weak depending on my training of it and therefore strengthening it sufficiently. However, in this case, although it might be strong, it nevertheless may have an inherrant weakness if nerve function only repairs to an 80% fix. I would then be diving with a damaged (although working) diaphragm.
His solution, is to test the diaphragm in a hyperbaric chamber, to see if I can hold a breath at 50m conditions. If successful, he would clear me to start constant weight training and I would take the role of a novice freediver and maybe take a year or so to get below 50m. It would be ill advised to go deep straight away.
So, its off to Plymouth on the National Health Service for some unusual tests and in the meantime, I can at least get wet again.
Tests last week have confirmed that my diaphragm is now fully functioning and my surgeon said I could once again breath hold and freedive (after two years). So it was off to my doctor to get my medical signed. Unfortunately, my doctor is not a diving specialist and was not happy to sign my medical for diving, although he encouraged apnea and dynamic training in order to kick start the strengthening and awareness processes prior to getting deep. Depth could start after a period of preparation through training. When I am prepared to dive (and need a signed document to compete) , he will be happy to sign the medical.
The issue he has with signing the medical is quite unique. Because my diaphragm was paralised, it may now be very weak and may not have the strength to withstand pressure at 50m. If there is insufficient strength to hold the breath at that pressure, the result could be an involuntary reflex causing a full exhalation. This of course could be fatal as suddenly, I would become much more negatively bouyant at the same time as dumping the O2. The return trip would be very difficult, especially in an untrained state of ability. Of course, there is nothing to say that any failure of the diaphragm may happen at 25 or 30m.
Secondly, the diaphragm may not be weak depending on my training of it and therefore strengthening it sufficiently. However, in this case, although it might be strong, it nevertheless may have an inherrant weakness if nerve function only repairs to an 80% fix. I would then be diving with a damaged (although working) diaphragm.
His solution, is to test the diaphragm in a hyperbaric chamber, to see if I can hold a breath at 50m conditions. If successful, he would clear me to start constant weight training and I would take the role of a novice freediver and maybe take a year or so to get below 50m. It would be ill advised to go deep straight away.
So, its off to Plymouth on the National Health Service for some unusual tests and in the meantime, I can at least get wet again.
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