On Mon, 2 Dec 2002 12:08:58 +1100, David Strike <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

>On Sunday, December 01, 2002 10:42 PM, Reef Fish wrote:
>(snip)
>> So, I'll simply point out that there is nothing in the medications
>> you discussed that has even been remotely linked as counterindication
>> to DIVING, including the controversial case of Sudafed (except as
>> you and Strike indicated to be so in Australia), by the medical
>> profession.  I am not even sure that's the MEDICAL view (and not
>> just the diving profession's view) in Australia.
>
>Mate!  Just for the record, the reason that Sudafed was removed from sale at
>Supermarkets and its sale restricted to pharmacies had nothing to do with
>its use by divers but, rather, came about because some unsavoury people were
>buying the stuff in bulk and extracting some of the chemicals for street
>sale as a 'recreational' drug!

Thanks for the clarification, Mate!  I did make the leap to the (wrong)
conclusion that it was just ANOTHER <G> new Aussie DIVING regulation. :-)


>The 'controversy' surrounding it's use by divers certainly didn't cause me
>to stop using it.  It was only when it was unavailable as an 'impulse' buy
>through supermarkets that my use stopped and - as I said in my earlier
>post - so did many of the sniffles that I was using it for in the first
>place!  :-)

That does make your story a bit different in THIS context.  :-)
Had I known earlier, I could have brought you a few years' supply of
Sudafed on my visit that would have fit into the cavity of the Titan
Triggerfish wire basket!  :-)

Then you would have been able to use them (to advantage) when you
have the minor sniffles. Is there law against importing that stuff
or SELLING it yourself? :-))  Mika can bring you some.  :-)))  Much
better than his "sink the stink" stuff (in the Coz99NEDfest) Strike
thought I had stolen or thrown away when I had to put them out in
the balcony to rid ITS stink in my room!  :-)


>Having said that, I still continue to believe that the use of medications
>prior to diving is, in the main, unwise Not least because diving medicine
>itself is still very much in its infancy and I like to reduce all of the
>variables in diving to a manageable level!<bwg>.

What about daily medication that's non-diving related that happened to
be taken everyday in the morning, and the dive(s) happen to be after
the medication is taken, to make it "prior to diving"?  :-)  It may
be inevitable on a liveaboard, say, ya know?  :-))

Then, aren't you falling back to more or less the same position of
anti-modern-medication for "religious" reasons (of agnosticism?) :-)))


>It is, however, a question
>of balance.  Given the choice, for example, of going on a dive trip to an
>area where malaria is rife, I have no hesitation in taking prophylactics -
>usually Doxycycline.  (Although I have occasionally been prescibed
>Mefloquine, I have always asked that the prescribing MD to change the
>prescription to Doxycycline based on the reported side effects on divers
>using Mefloquine that's been studied by a number of eminent diving doctors.)
>:-)

That's a DIFFERENT situation altogether.  It's no longer agnosticism. :-)
But a personal choice based on incomplete, yet relevant information.


>Similarly with alcohol and the old adage, "Today's dive starts the night
>before."! :-)
>
>Although I have frequently been guilty of paying lip-service to the above, I
>have absolutely no doubts that alcohol and diving is not a good mix.  (The
>reason that I seldom, if ever, touch alcohol when on a liveaboard trip.) :-)

That's still another DIFFERENT situation.  Unless one dives intoxicated,
the only known ill-effect of alcohol (to diving), AFAIK, is dehydration!

So, if a pre-dive shot of Phyco-Plonk REALLY enhances MY appreciation
of all the UW flora and fauna, then *I* wouldn't hesitate to take a
shot before plunging in a dive, but make sure that I drink plenty of
water to compensate the dehydration, in the same matter I drink plenty
of water on a flight (or after landing) if I knew I would be jumping
into the water an hour later.

I actually did THAT often, in Cozumel.  The plane landed and I would
be diving an hour or two later.  In that respect, diving AFTER flying
is like diving after drinking!!!  (not an entirely facetious theory).
I don't drink, but not for DIVING reasons. :-))  However, I HAVE
experienced the effect of dehydration (in my ignorant newbie days)
of diving shortly' AFTER flying and forgot to HYDRATE myself ... and
noticed the consistent (rather than one-time anecdotal) tendency
for my legs to cramp when insufficiently hydrated!  :-)

>Nevertheless  - and as I stated earlier in this post - it is all a question
>of balance.  One in which the individual must often make decisions based on
>common sense use rather than alarmist - and unsupported hearsay.  :-)

Agreed.  That's what my "computer" (between the ears) says. :-)

>
>Bob (or Rob, as he preferred to be called in later years) Cason -

Many people don't like to be mistaken for other Bobs.  :0)  That's why
I am Feeesh, and I have actually signed NOTBob in some of my posts in
rec.scuba because there were too many other Bobs in the thread I
didn't want to be mistaken for!   :-))

> and I use
>his name, as one of the people central to the Sudafed debate here in
>Australia - was an enthusiastic soul who wanted to make his mark on diving.
>All too often - and sadly, in many instances - this invariably entailed
>trying to re-invent the wheel by locking horns with anyone who preached a
>more moderate approach to diving safety!

Zealots are not new in the diving world!  :-)

>(As an aside, he was constantly
>trying to set underwater depth or endurance records.  Over a period of
>months, he began posting notices on the shop's Bulletin Board with the names
>of the deep air divers and the depths that they had achieved under headings
>like, 'The 200+ ft Club'; 'The 180+ ft Club', etc.  His name always appeared
>at the top as an encouragement for others to 'try and beat his record'.

Just think, I could've put my name under the 280+ ft Club.  ;-)

>In '91, I saw him off from Sydney airport when he flew to the States

Did he make the "Mile High Club"?  :-)))

( Rob's tale snipped )

>Anyway, I'm sorry for the length of this post

Nonsense!  Join the "Witless Club"!  :-))  The Tale of Two Cities
started with a SENTENCE that was about three pages long.  :-)
You done good!  Even Shakespeare couldn't have condensed your
post into a sonnet without losing much of the substance.  :-)))

Mark Bevilhimer, after a VERY LONG post by me (which was necessary
to state my case against Nick, I fink) years ago, sneaked in the
Shakespearean quote "Brevity is the Soul of Wit".  :-)

I am proud to be a member of the "Witless Club" when the occasions
call for them.

( snip )
>
>> All we know is that ANY medication has POTENTIAL side-effects that MAY
>> or may not adversely affect different individuals, whether diving or
>> not diving!
>
>(snippped)
>
>> Whatever you read, cycle them through the computer between your ears!
>
>I agree!  :-)
>
>Strike

All's well that ends well, they say.  :-))

Damn!  I am Witless AGAIN.  But I ain't sorry for it, cuz it ain't
required reading for anyone!  ;-)

-- Bob.