The Medical Problems of Underwater Diving

To the Editor: In their article on medical problems associated with underwater diving (Jan. 2 issue),¹ Melamed et al. state, “In principle, diving is absolutely contraindicated in persons subject to spontaneous pneumothorax, as well as in those with air-trapping pulmonary lesions or bronchial asthma.” The first two terms describe specific pathologic conditions for which the absolute contraindication is appropriate. However, “bronchial asthma” is a diagnosis applied to a broad range of people, many of whom are in fact active divers. It is universally agreed that symptomatic asthma is a contraindication to diving because of limitation in the exercise response…