The MediDive Regulator

Posted Nov 15th 2006 2:06PM by Willy Volk
Filed under: Health & Medicine, Regs

Not only has MediDive developed the Asthma Freedom Snorkel so swimmers can enjoy cruising the surface, they've also been busy trying to help asthmatics get down deeper. Consequently, they've developed the MediDive regulator. Although MediDive maintains that not all asthmatics should go diving, they claim that -- when used in conjunction with a medical selection protocol and MediDive training materials -- the MediDive reg can break underwater barriers that have heretofore restricted asthmatics.

Combining a high quality regulator with a discrete chamber that contains a puffer canister, the MediDive reg features a twist mechanism that releases doses of carefully-measured medication when needed; the same mechanism also resets the device for the next delivery. Allowing users to remove their canister for topside use, the reg can be used at depth even with gloved hands. It doesn't appear that the MediDive reg is available for purchase yet, but if you're interested, you can "register your interest."

Reader Comments

(Page 1)

1. MediDive insists the units can only be used by qualified, trained asthmatics -- not just "general" asthmatics. I'm sure this is to prevent accidents like those to which you both refer.

Maybe this is why you have to "register your interest," and can not purchase a MediDive reg now.

Posted at 4:16PM on Nov 15th 2006 by Willy

2. Yeah....

I'm sure that this a "great" idea but given that they don't test drugs taken under pressure and that the amount of drug that goes into your system would be larger than the metered dosage, then I'll pass.

Posted at 5:09PM on Nov 15th 2006 by Bill Reals

3. Am I the only one who looks at this and says "not just no, but HELL NO"??
Who's responsible if I take an asthmatic into my course, or on my boat, and they don't/can't twist this thing and get a puff when they get an asthma attack underwater and subsequently die or have a near-drowning incident and become a vegetable?

Where is the liability? If I remember correctly, a defensible action is one in which a reasonably prudent instructor would do the same. I for one would NOT sign off on someone who had to rely on one of these things.

More power to people with asthma who want to see the pretty fishies, but there are alternatives available to them that won't put me at risk of a criminal or civil suit. Call me selfish if you want, but there are reasons that asthma is an absolute contra-indicator to diving.

Posted at 9:39PM on Nov 15th 2006 by Mark

4. Yes I agree, I am not entirely convinced that this is a good idea? If I had A family member that was asthmatic, And died using this reg. I would think about suing the company.. Seems like a line I wouldn't want to cross if I was a manufacture.

Unfortunately some activities cant be done by everybody. If I was 55yo and 400#s ma-bey scuba isn't a good idea!! But the sad thing is, there is always an instructor to teach...

Posted at 12:24AM on Nov 16th 2006 by jason merrill

5. I'm interested in hearing what the manufacturer has to say about the comments here. I am a 'general' asthmatic, meaning that I don't need the inhaler unless I have something else provoking my asthma (allergies, sickness). I wouldn't want to be taking drugs (prescription or not) WHILE diving.

Posted at 6:46PM on Nov 21st 2006 by Calvin Tang

6. i'm interested in this product i'm from the uk and dive cold water passed all the relevant medicals etc etc but reading some of the above comments has made me comment now. This product if it is tested according to other demand valve reccomendations and the user had passed the stringent medical for asthmatics and watches his /her peak flow before diving and thus making the decisicion to dive. This demand valve with a salbutamul cylinder in side is more likely to relax the diver even more so and act as a placebo. Than if diving on a normal demand valve. I understand that for people who has asthma and cannot pass a stringent medical might think this product will help i also beleive this product and diving is not for you but the medisnorkel is out there and you don't have the same pressures as divers do.

Posted at 6:47PM on Jan 7th 2007 by paul

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