Ski-ing

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shamrock

New member
Hi Im wondering if anyone can give me any information on this. I have a lung function of 41% (MY PFTS) and read somewhere here that you can't ski on anything less then 50%. Now I'm wondering if I can try and find somewhere thats not so high up but when reading through these I'm wondering how high up do you think I can go.
I learned how to ski here on man made low slopes. I REALLY REALLY want to go and I know my pfts arent going to improve so I want to do it before they go any lower. Im not on any oxygen or anything and have done a lot of travelling-meaning that planess are no problem. Anyway any info is GREATLY appreciated,
Thanks, <img src="i/expressions/rose.gif" border="0">
 
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anonymous

New member
Hi , I don't know the answer to your question but I would love to know if anyone knows the same but for scuba diving - I did some diving about four years ago and it didn't even enter my head that maybe I shouldn't do it but then I heard that it might not be the best idea so I would like to know if anyone knows the statistics about when if ever it's safe and how deep would be ok. Cheers

Roo 27 cf/cepacia
 
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DebbieC

New member
Hey,
I ski just about every other weekend. I live in Colorado, and usually go to Breckenridge, which is the highest altitude ski resort in the state. It's really about your level of fittness and comfort. Have you skied before? It can really give your muscles a workout, even if you're taking it easy. Sometimes, get short of breath or tired before I'm ready to go in, so I've started bringing up some O2 to sleep with when I'm there.

Where are you planning on going? The altitude may be an adjustment, (I forget where you're from). If you go at your own pace and rest when you need to, you should be fine.
<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">
 
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shamrock

New member
Debbie, would your pfts be like mine? I've never gone ski-ing in snow but I've learned how to ski. Im going to be doing more lessons in Sept. I don't even know where to go. Originally I thought the alps as thats where a lot of people go but since Im looking for somewhat lower places, I dont think the alps is the best place to start!! So really I am considering ANYWHERE. I've looked at places in Canada, Austria and France and Italy.
Where would I go to get oxygen to go ski-ing with? Thanks for the info<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">
 
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anonymous

New member
Hi Shamrock ,

I know a lad who went snow boarding in Scotland maybe they do ski ing as well might be worth a try

Roo
 
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anonymous

New member
There's a dry slope at Kiltiernan in Wicklow, my sister went before going skiing on a school tour and loved it

Roo
 
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anonymous

New member
I think it would be all about your comfort level and certainly there shouldnt be any rule that less than 50% means you cant ski. I have pft's of 30-40% and i do whatever I want, so long as its comfortable. Scuba diving would be different I'd say just because of the pressure and the breathing out of a tank, but that is something I would be scared to death of regardless so I dont know. People with pft's in the 30's run everyday, like myself, it all depends on your level of fitness. have fun
!
 
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anonymous

New member
With your low PFT's try to stay at ski areas that have a low altitude. In the east, all areas are at low altitude. I skied at around 10,000 feet at 40 percent but you have risk for altitude sickness. If you want to ski in the west, try Idaho where we have several areas with the tops at 7,500 feet. Washington also has some lower altitude mountains along with Whistler and Blackcomb in Canada. Anything over 5,000 feet, take it easy and build up over a few days. I have well over 200 days with my "old lungs" with your current PFT's. Ask your doctor but I doubt mine could catch me on any mountain below around 9,000 feet.

I have skied (downhill) with an oxygen bottle yet do not recommend this addicted behavior for several reasons. XC skiing is a great time and can be done with or without oxygen, just take your time.

In aircraft the cabin altitude is kept around 8,000 to 8,500 feet. Your not exercising so your sats. are not the same as skiing.

Scuba diving is not wise for CF's. The risk is that at depth you can get trapped air from a mucus plug and you would risk a pulmonary embolism or pneumothorax. Yes I did this even diving in Lake Tahoe at 6,200 feet which brings up other dive physiology issues. Post TX they will not let me dive (go figure). My original pulmonologist did not understand dive physiology and let me dive. I have talked to several navy dive pulmonolgist (they told me I was nuts). The best place to call with these questions is DAN (Divers Alert Network). DAN has the best information on health and meds for diving and is the clearinghouse for the world of Scuba. With a mask and fins breathing through a snorkle, no major issue impact like compressed air.

Another side bar to SCUBA diving, pseudomonas infections with dive equipment are common for healthy non CF's. Do you really want to get a new pseudomonas infection under pressure forced into your lungs? Regulators, hoses and tanks plus compressors are hard to clean, seldom cleaned at dive operations.

CF 54 TX cepacia
 
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