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throughout pregnancy, although they modify their
profiles as gestation progresses. While Ama divers
may continue to dive until the day of delivery, they
typically stay close to shore in the later stages of
pregnancy. Some Ama divers choose not to dive at all
while pregnant.
Taylor states that there is a theoretical — and
occasionally real — risk of decompression illness in
freediving. However, this risk is usually associated
with extreme freediving such as that practiced by Ama
divers. Among Ama divers specifically, no adverse
effects have been reported in infants. However, the
closed nature of Asian traditional diving communities
makes it difficult to garner detailed information, and
the divers may be reluctant to visit medical facilities.
Taylor concludes that it is reasonable for
pregnant women to freedive but that it should not
be considered a good form of exercise for them. If
freediving is a regular occupation, she judges it to be
safe to continue provided that weight gain and other
signs of a healthy pregnancy progress appropriately. If
maternal parameters fall, something less strenuous is
indicated. Ultimately, the decision is the woman’s and
should be made in consultation with her doctor. DAN
medics are available for consultation as well.
AD
— Lana Sorrell, EMT, DMT
Int’l Preferred Provider
Network (IPPN) Site
800.227.3483
/
954.929.0090
• Mention DAN
14
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