I have a question about physiology and drugs when it comes to pressure changes. Specifically, I'm looking at trying SCUBA but all the forms and stuff say if your taking medications you need your parents, err... doctors permission first.
I know that the half-life of drugs is influenced by pressure but is there some super-taboo concern about this? I mean, will taking Ritalin and diving change it to some poison or something? Or, assuming all the anatomical stuff won't break under the pressure, does ADHD predispose me to problems with diving?
Is anybody SCUBA certified or do all the doctors say 'Heck NO'? I don't know why this has me all scrambled but I've wanted to do SCUBA forever and I guess I just want to understand why there'd be a fuss.

Thanks!
-Scott

I think it is more of a filter for people people with heart conditions, or other potentially life threating conditions that may be effected by the physical exertion of the scuba diving not the medicine itself but what it treats. I think it is more for liablity snd insurance perposes. I would think that if ritalin had a negative effect with pressure, it has been around long enough somebody would have figured it out. If your worried ask a doctor.

SCUBA diving is strenuous, and dangerous, as you know. Lots of swimming and excercise under hyperbaric conditions.

At depth, you have higher partial pressures of oxygen than you encounter on the surface. Too much oxygen can be toxic. Your body tissues absorb nitrogen which can cause the bends. All of these conditions present hazards to the diver with ADHD. You need to be focused on where you are, how deep and for how long.

O boyo, how did I end up with the near-empty tank again! Where's my buddy, or spare regulator, or dive computer gone off to? What's happened to the dang boat? I wasn't supposed to keep track of where the current was taking us!


If you find you get at all dizzy or woozy when you excercise on Ritalin, Scuba may make this worse. You don't want an additional source of disoriention, especially if you're new to SCUBA. Also, if you ever do deeper dives, you risk nitrogen narcosis. Stimulants may make this worse, though there's not much info on this.


My SCUBA friends warn against taking any drugs while diving.

And being a goofster ADHD diver is not so great either. ;)

On my last couple of dives I took Adderall, and had no trouble. YMMV. Adderall, a stimulent, is composed of mixed amphetamine salts. I am used to the drug, and it helps to clear my sinuses, as well as keep me focused. My stuffy sinuses can cause problems and make equilibration of pressure in my ears difficult at depth.

If you have cardiovascular problems, neither SCUBA nor ritalin may be for you. Discuss with your doc.


Here's a link that discusses drugs, ADHD and SCUBA:

http://www.scuba-doc.com/ADDADHD.html