Is This Medication Safe for SCUBA Diving?
I would like to know if "Ibumax" – (a pain killer) and "Sudafed" (a decongestant) is safe to use before and or after scuba diving. I am preferably looking for answers from specialized diving doctors… if possible.
I am thinking of putting them in my diving first aid kit so want to be sure.
Sure you can put them in your kit for emergencies or issues after a dive, but don’t think about diving after taking them is all.
Both of those meds can induce narcosis or at least a "drowsy" type effect at a shallower depth than the diver normally experiences it. There are some pain and sinus meds that won’t cause this, but they are generally only by perscription.
In addition, the Sudafed can make you experience what’s called rebound. Your sinus passages clear up, sure, but when the meds wear off you can be even more stuffed up than before you took them.
What you may want to include in your kit is a saline nasal mist. It’s decongestant effect is a little lower than Sudafed but it’s non medicinal and causes zero rebound. No problems diving using it either before or after a dive.
You shouldn’t take any medication before you dive, so leave them out.
talk to your doctor
Contact DAN (Divers Alert Network). They will be able to give you good information about diving while using different medication.