Diving After a Stroke

I am 60 years old and had a thrombotic stroke two years ago. Surgery on my carotid artery restored circulation, but I have left arm paralysis and diminished movement in my left leg, and I need a cane to walk. My doctor says I am unlikely to have a repeat stroke, and I currently am not taking any medications. Will I be able to dive again?

A cerebral vascular accident, or stroke, occurs in two ways: hemorrhagic (bleeding) or thrombotic (clot). Both forms affect oxygen and blood flow to the brain. Lasting deficits are common after a stroke and may affect speech, strength and movement. For a thrombotic stroke, a thrombolytic medication such as a tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) can break up the clot and should restore oxygen and blood flow. The unfortunate drawback to this drug is that it must be administered within hours after the onset of symptoms.

 Paralysis is not uncommon following a stroke. A doctor should evaluate your level of impairment and what effect it may have on your diving. Inability to use your arms can make it difficult to work with your gear, such as adjusting your buoyancy compensator, clearing your mask or reaching a backup regulator. If the deficit affects your legs, it may be difficult to swim, kick, move with gear on while on a wet boat deck or rocky shore entry, or swim against a current. A physical deficit may also affect your ability to respond to an emergency, making it difficult to self-rescue or rescue a buddy. Residual spasticity can make some activities particularly difficult and exhausting.

Carefully weigh your return to diving, and assess the risk versus reward. Your doctor should determine and address the reason for your stroke. No studies are available that address if the areas of your brain damaged by your stroke will be more susceptible to decompression illness (DCI). Even a mild neurologic DCI incident could have severe consequences and affect the degree of function you achieved through rehabilitation.

If you decide to dive, we suggest that you seek a detailed ongoing assessment and approval from your treating physician. This process should include a complete dive physical and a neurological evaluation that includes the strength and weakness of major muscle groups and the degree of cerebral injury as well as an assessment and comparison of the left side and right side of your body. This evaluation will help avoid diagnostic confusion in the event of postdive problems. The treatment for stroke and DCI is very different, so the correct diagnosis is vital to guide you to the appropriate treatment facility.

Lasting mobility and movement limitations may require you to have further training with specially trained dive buddies. Agencies such as Diveheart (diveheart.org), the Handicapped Scuba Association (hsascuba.com) and others specialize in helping divers with limited mobility to enjoy the underwater world.
— Robert Soncini, NR-P, DMT