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Pregnancy and Diving (from DAN)

7/21/2016

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Before we discuss this topic it is important to know that any and all information found in this post is not medical advice and before you consider any type of activity, including diving or snorkeling, you should consult your physician.

Pregnancy can be a wonderful and exciting thing, but is does limit the activities you do to ensure the health of yourself and your developing baby. Most activities have a large body of research to draw from on the effects of continuing to do it while pregnant, but SCUBA diving is not one of those activities. The majority of research on this topic is done following the delivery of the child and from self-reported questionnaires on activities done during pregnancy. 
The current research suggests that the pressure put on the body during SCUBA diving in conjunction with the strain SCUBA diving may put on your body, especially if you are not an avid diver, and the risk of decompression sickness, make it unsafe for you and your baby. Studies have reported higher incidents of low birth weight, birth defects, infant respiratory problems, and other medical conditions when SCUBA diving was performed during pregnancy.
Freediving is a form of diving where the person holds their breath and dives down under the water and returns to the surface for air. The data on this sport is even more limited and comes mostly from freediving Asian cultures such as the Ama divers in Japan and Korea. These women live in a culture where they freedive for a living and they often do so until they deliver with no problems reported, but they do make changes as their pregnancies progress and some women stop diving completely. The potential for decompression sickness is not as big of a factor for freediving, but the stress on the body and the effects of extra pressure on the body definitely remain. Most doctors will recommend against any type of diving when pregnant, including freediving to limit the risk to you and your baby. Depending on your health, need to freedive, and the health of your baby, you may be able to continue to participate in this activity with changes to the depth and length of time your perform the activity and frequent monitoring of your pregnancy.
You may be able to snorkel while you are pregnant provided you remain on the surface and have ensured that everything is progressing normally in the pregnancy. Some places will not allow you to snorkel if you are pregnant and other places will, so be sure to check with your specific destination before booking a vacation if you are pregnant or trying to conceive. There is no research indicating that snorkeling on the surface will cause harm to the mother or the developing child but this is another activity that should be discussed with your doctor prior to being performed.
In the end, only you know your body and can decide what activities you simply cannot give up until your bundle of joy arrives, and what will be worth the wait. DAN recommends consulting with your doctor. DAN also has medics available to discuss this topic further. 
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To Rent or To Buy?...That is the Question!

7/5/2016

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There comes a point in every SCUBA diver's life where they find themselves asking this very question. There are many pros and cons to both renting and buying and ultimately the decision usually comes down to your finances and your specific SCUBA activities. Here are a few of the pros and cons to both renting and buying so you can begin to answer this question for yourself!

To Rent

Pros
  • You do not need to maintain any equipment
  • The cost is minimal to get the basics
  • There is no packing and hauling gear from one dive spot to the next
  • You do not have to research what the best gear is for you
  • Renting allows you to try out different kinds of gear to see which one you like best without making any permanent investment
  • The convenience of  having the gear there right when you need it and want it. No waiting for shipping or special orders.
Cons
  • Not all rental facilities keep their equipment in great condition and you may experience a malfunction while diving
  • The gear is not a custom fit so you may have to make due with too big or too small equipment which can greatly reduce your comfort while diving and impair your ability to dive. Ill fitting gear can be unsafe, so the best fit is essential to comfort and safety.
  • You are not familiar with the equipment and must re-learn how the equipment works each time you rent from a different place or use new equipment
  • Rental fees do add up so if you dive frequently you may end up spending the same amount as you would purchasing it on your own if you dive for several days or multiple times a year
  • You must be near a rental center to rent equipment and it is suggested that you call ahead of time to make sure the place you are going rents all of the gear you need or you may be hit with some unexpected costs while on your trip.

To Buy

Pros
  • You know how the gear has been handled, maintained, and cleaned.
  • You know that the equipment will not malfunction when you get in the water.
  • You are familiar with the equipment and it is set up just the way you like it, no adjustments needed
  • The gear will fit properly and you will have a comfortable, safe, and enjoyable dive
  • You can dive anywhere that you are allowed to. You are not tethered to the specific spots the tour is visiting or where there is a rental center nearby
  • The equipment that is available for purchase is usually higher quality than what is available for rental
Cons
  • Cost is the number one reason people usually choose not to buy their own equipment. This cost may be more upfront (an essential bundle from Aqualung is around $980.00), but if you plan on diving frequently or going on a longer dive trip, it may actually be cheaper to purchase your own gear. 
  • You are responsible for maintaining and properly caring for your gear while on your trip and after you come home. If you are short on space and do not want to try to remember to bring your equipment in for regular servicing then owning may not be for you.
  • You have to transport, pack, and unpack your equipment every time. You are also responsible if your equipment breaks; this is why warranties are such a necessity.






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