Does anyone scuba dive or know of anyone with a colostomy who scuba dives?
Bearably50
Sep 07, 2018 8:40 pm
BackToCa
Sep 08, 2018 4:16 am
I have an ileostomy and have been scuba diving a few times, both in cold water with a full wetsuit and warm water. I never had any issues with it. I haven't been for a while now.
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Posted by: w30bob
Hi gang,
I was thinking what a great resource this site has been for me since I found it. It would have been really helpful, but maybe a bit scary, to have found it before my ostomy, but that's water under the bridge. But I got thinking about it, and now I'm questioning why doctors and hospitals don't provide this site's contact info to any patient even considering an ostomy today. And how can we change that so potential ostomates can learn about the road ahead for them by getting on here and asking questions before the docs go chop-chop. How exactly do you get all hospitals to provide their patients specific information, like this website?
I just happened to find this site something like 4 years after my ostomy when I Googled "ostomy forum" or something like that. But I never found it during previous searches.....so I found this site pretty much by pure luck. We need to find a way to make this site available to new or soon-to-be ostomates......as that's when we really need to commiserate with fellow ostomates. Anybody have any thoughts on how we do this?
Thanks,
Bob
Poobag17
Sep 08, 2018 6:25 am
20 years with an ostomy and have been diving 10+ years of it. When you sign up for your course, one of the questions on the medical questionnaire they ask is if you have an ostomy. I don't know why they ask, to be honest, because when I checked yes, they said no problem (they being the dive shop who want your business, of course). So I confirmed with my GI, and there's no problem. I have a note from just in case I run into a lazy dive shop or an ignorant one. I've dived all over the world and never had an issue, always made sure I'm not on the tail end of a pouch, mind you, and of course empty it all before you hit the water. But yeah, carry on, nothing you can't do! Any questions, let me know, diving is rad! Do it!!
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Bill
Sep 08, 2018 6:25 am
Hello Bearably 50. I don't dive now myself as I don't get the opportunities I once had. However, there have been past posts on this subject and nobody seems to have had any real problems with it. Go and enjoy yourself.
Best wishes
Bill
Bodyrocker22
Sep 12, 2018 1:11 am
Bearably50, I have been diving most of my adult life; before and after having an ileostomy. I have never had any issues during a dive. I wear a protective seal over my flange whenever I do any watersports to prevent water from getting under my flange. Go to www.alpglobal.com (Sure Seal rings). You may also be able to get this product through your usual medical provider. I scuba dive, freedive, surf, snorkel, etc., and use this product without worry. I hope you are able to take the time to enjoy this amazing sport. Best wishes, Paul.
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Puppyluv56
Sep 12, 2018 11:13 am
BodyRocker,
Before my surgery, my ostomy nurse said that she used to tell her patients that you will be able to do anything but scuba dive after surgery, but she could not say that anymore because she has a patient that does scuba dive and has been fine! Guess you will have to talk to your doctor if you want to try.
Puppyluv