snorkeling asthma restrictions?

[roughcreek]

I'm a first-time cruiser and first time snorkeler. On the shore excursion descriptions for snorkeling, people with asthma are excluded. I've had asthma for many years, but it is currently controlled with medication. I want to know if I can safely snorkel and is a medical waiver required to participate on the on-shore excursions. Thanks for your help!

[piper28]

My wife and I were considering doing an intro scuba excursion, and I remember that did specifically say that you'd need to have a doctor's note saying you were capable of doing it. To be honest, I don't really remember seeing any such requirement on the snorkeling trips (and we did take one through the cruise line, Princess in our case). In our case, both of our asthmas are pretty well controlled, and the idea of snorkelling wouldn't bother me at all. We never had to specifically sign any health form for the excursion. If it's convenient, it certainly wouldn't hurt to have a note from your doctor saying you're capable of doing it, but I seriously doubt it'll be needed.

[golfer1966]

I dont remember seeing anything about being excluded for having asthma. I also have it and I dont recall seeing that. Make sure it was for snorkeling and not scuba. If it was for snorkeling, get a dr approval and I am sure you will be fine. On another note, I dont think I used my medicine at all on any of my cruises. I guess its the clean air and being stress free.

[shirleygr]

I too have asthma, well controlled, and have snorkeled numerous times. I've never seen a restriction on snorkeling if you have asthma. If it were me, and they did ask, I'd just say no. I wouldn't go to the trouble of getting a letter from my doc.

[happycat Bainbridge Is]

I too have asthma and have been on a cruise-ship organized snorkeling tour without any exclusion or waiver (or problems). I agree with asking your doctor and then double checking to make sure it's not a limitation on scuba diving ...

 

On a related note, I would definitely bring a fast acting inhaler in a waterproof container (can get them from Amazon or at outdoor type retailers) just in case ...

 

I didn't have any problem but if you are prone to exercise-induced asthma OR if you suck in a little salt water through your snorkel tube and start coughing and tighten up, you might be a lot happier and have a healthier and more enjoyable time if you can pop up to the surface and grab a hit of whatever your doctor recommends in the way of a fast acting inhalor, in addition to making sure to keep taking whatever regular meds you're on.

 

I hope you do get to go and enjoy!

[gazingm42]

I have had asthma for the last 20 years. Mine is controlled with meds daily.

 

I also have been snorkeling for about 18 years. I at times have issues using the

snorkel it self when I having a bad asthma day. But I personally would not

mention your asthma to anyone myself. I hate to see them not allow you to

do something so fun, becuase they are not educated on asthma.

 

Just make sure you have your inhaler in your bag in case you need it.

 

Go have fun!

[mrsfuzzmo]

My husband has asthma and high blood pressure, both very under control and though they state you are not allowed, he snorkels....AND dives. His doctor just said, "just don't tell them". So he doesn't. He just signs up and goes. No questions asked and has never had a problem.

 

Mrsfuzzmo

[Jacqueline]

Why in the world would asthma contraindicate SNORKELING ? Diving yes. Now, sure if you are symptomatic and wheezing, it wouldnt be a lot of fun and you would probably opt out.

My daughter has severe asthma, been hospitalized three times, including a weeklong stint in the ICI when she suffered lung overexpansion injuries...

While we always bring her nebulizer on our cruises, she is always better at sea.. And she is the best snorkeler out there, In the open sea, off a boat, you name it. Tahiti to Bermuda.

These are the opportunites of a lifetime. Unless someone can tell you WHY, why not.

[ProudFossil]

My wife and I started scuba cerification a few years ago. All went well until we started the certification dives. To make a long story short, she had an asthmatic attack 40 feet down in 55 degree water. Scary stuff. Needless to say that stopped the certification. Luckily we were able to get her up and out of the water. She was in bad shape, vomiting, headaches, pain, feeling horrible, etc., etc., for several days. I relate this to indicate we have some knowledge of the effects of asthma and diving/snorkling.

 

The first question the asthma specialist asked after we explained the circumstances is "Why in the hell didn't you die?". The asthma specialist (who was a naval diver for many years) explained that the attck occurred because of two factors. First the air in the tank was extremely dry and secondly the lake we were diving in was cold as I said above. The way they test for asthma is to have the subject breathe cold, dry air. That will initiate an astmatic attack.

 

When we asked about furthering the scuba certification he went ballistic. When we asked about snorkling he said it would be loads of fun with no problem if one condition was met. The temperature of the water should be relatively warm. That means the Carribean would pose no real problem. Other places, such as California north ( I have snorkled in Alaska), would be fine wearing enough protection in the form of a skin or even a light wet suit to ensure the body would not get chilled. Since then my wife has snorkled all over the Carribean with no side effects.

 

I hope this long post will help resolve the question.

 

Mike

[Jacqueline]

Thanks Mike. I think that between the two of us, we have resolved that snokeling anywhere short of Vancouver or Alaska is a great way for people with asthma to experience the sea.

I will say that on my last trip to Bermuda that I saw more interesting marine life on a snorkle trip than I had on several dives... We even saw the dreaded cauliflower jelly, a new and potentially disruptive species to Bermuda. They feast on moon jellies so there you go...

In any even my little girl pointed one out to me (at least 50 ft away) and we swam off. Most people on the island had yet to encounter one. Evidently their tenticles go on forever so we were fortunate.