News
Diving after COVID-19 – Update from Coronavirus Survivor Douglas Ebersole MD
By Douglas Ebersole, MD – Medical Director for RAID
I am a dive industry professional and a COVID-19 survivor. I am sharing my story in hopes of decreasing the fear these days in the diving community. In my “real job” as a cardiologist and while wearing my N95 mask a few weeks ago, I was exposed to a severely ill patient that subsequently tested positive for COVID-19. He ended up in the ICU for a few days, but did not require a ventilator. He was discharged home after a two-week hospital stay and is doing well.
I began having symptoms of fatigue, shaking chills, and fever to 102 degrees about 10 days after my exposure and tested positive for COVID-19. I had no shortness of breath, a normal oxygen saturation, and a normal chest x-ray. I was one of the fortunate ones with symptoms no worse than a bad case of the flu. After 10 days of quarantine at home, my symptoms resolved though my exercise tolerance was decreased. My usual exercise regimen is 30 minutes on a stair master and 30 minutes on an exercise bike 3-4 times per week, but after COVID-19 I fatigued doing minimal yard work.
As gyms are closed in Florida, I used my home rowing machine to get back into shape. After a week I was able to row 30 minutes per day without symptoms. As I have access to a treadmill and a pulse oximeter, I exercised on my office treadmill after work with good exercise tolerance and no decrease in my oxygen saturation. As a result, I plan to return to diving as soon as Florida opens up the marinas and state parks. I will start with shallow no-decompression diving and slowly build back up to decompression diving, cave diving, etc.
Recently, a report of six divers in Austria who had severe lung changes on CT scans several weeks after COVID-19 despite feeling well has been widely circulated on social media. While this is interesting and suggests further studies are needed, no firm conclusions can be drawn from such a small number of patients with such a short follow-up period. While we do not have enough data yet to make any firm conclusions about the effect of COVID-19 on divers or when infected divers can safely return to scuba diving, it is unlikely that it will be a “one size fits all” approach. For now, we should all be aware that while COVID-19 is usually a mild disease in young healthy individuals, others can become severely ill and even die despite having no underlying medical problems.
We should all follow CDC guidelines, practice social distancing, wear masks in public, etc. in an effort keep ourselves and others safe. If despite this, a diver contracts the virus, he or she should wait for resolution of symptoms, then increase their exercise as tolerated, and see a physician knowledgeable in diving medicine prior to returning to scuba diving. Finally, please get your diving information from organizations like Divers Alert Network, the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society, and the South Pacific Underwater Medical Society instead of from social media! Safe diving everyone!
Douglas Ebersole, MD is an interventional cardiologist at the Watson Clinic LLP in Lakeland, Florida and is the Director of the Structural Heart Program at Lakeland Regional Health. He has been diving since 1974 and is an avid recreational diver, technical diver, rebreather diver, and cave diver. He is also a recreational, technical, and rebreather instructor for several training agencies. Additionally, he is a cardiology consultant to Divers Alert Network, the medical director for RAID, and is on the Board of Advisors for IANTD and the Training Advisory Panel for TDI/SDI. In his spare time, he is the Florida Sales agent for KISS Rebreathers.
Source: www.divenewswire.com
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Amazing underwater adventures with the IR-50
The IR-50 is the top regulator for advanced and experienced divers. Natural breathing is the essence of this regulator.
Ideal breathing effort at 0.8 J/l /certified for diving in waters below 10 degrees / compensated membrane / adjustable venturi (dive/predive) and adjustment knob for individual inhalation comfort/ outlet valve and deflector for minimum exhalation effort and reduction of bubbles on the face / design made of sandblasted brass, matt chrome finish / 2 HP and 4 NP outlets / mouthpiece made of high-quality, anti-allergic silicone for maximum comfort.
The Workhorse – our CS-30
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Octopus OP-30
The OP-30 is the ideal addition to all DYNAMICNORD regulators. It is identical in construction to the CS-30.
The TR-80, IR-50, CS-30 (DIN & INT) regulators and the Octopus OP-30 are available from DYNAMICNORD dealers and in the online store.
DYNAMICNORD – Your Outdoor Companion.
Renowned anti-whaling activist Paul Watson has been released from custody in Greenland after spending five months in detention. Denmark’s Justice Ministry rejected Japan’s request for his extradition, citing insufficient guarantees that his time already served in custody would be credited against any potential sentence.
The 74-year-old Canadian-American was arrested on July 21 in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, when his ship docked to refuel. His arrest was based on a 2012 Japanese warrant related to a 2010 encounter in Antarctic waters. Japan alleged Watson obstructed operations and caused damage to a whaling research ship during efforts to disrupt illegal whaling. Watson has consistently denied these claims, maintaining his commitment to marine conservation.
Denmark, which oversees extradition matters for Greenland, concluded that while the legal conditions for extradition were met, the lack of assurances from Japan regarding time-served credit made extradition untenable.
In a video shared by his foundation, Watson expressed gratitude and relief, saying, “After five months, it’s good to be out… and good to know they’re not sending me to Japan.” He added that the most difficult part of his time in custody was being separated from his two young sons.
Watson is a pioneering figure in marine conservation, known for founding the Captain Paul Watson Foundation in 2022 after decades of activism with the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. His bold efforts to defend marine life have earned him widespread support, including from celebrities and conservationists. His work has also been featured in the acclaimed reality TV series Whale Wars.
Watson’s lawyer, Jonas Christoffersen, praised the decision, stating, “We are happy and relieved that Paul Watson is now free.” He added that Watson is eager to reunite with his family and continue his vital work.
The arrest occurred while Watson’s vessel, the M/Y John Paul DeJoria, was en route to the North Pacific with a team of 26 volunteers to intercept a Japanese whaling ship. His foundation described the arrest as politically motivated and emphasized that Watson’s actions were focused on ending illegal whaling practices.
Japan resumed commercial whaling in 2019 after leaving the International Whaling Commission, asserting that whale meat is a cultural tradition. Conservationists, however, continue to challenge these practices, highlighting their impact on marine ecosystems.
Despite the challenges, Watson remains steadfast in his mission to protect marine life and bring attention to whaling practices. His dedication to ocean conservation has made him a globally respected advocate for the environment.
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