trekker945 0 #1 January 19, 2006 My twin had a Seizure in a wind tunnel down in orlando if anyone saw their own twin get into fetal position and foam from the mouth they would be concerned with wanting to dive. He had done an aff level 1 previously but still I wonder. He has no history except for the time at the tunnel. Before that Seizure that day he had little to no sleep for 24 hours and had abit of booze and was on a plane for about 6 hours if that would make any difference. He had it checked out to make sure he had not had a tumor or anything in the brain. He sucked at the wind tunnel and was flaring his arms and legs around uncontrolably while in the tunnel and aslo if you had been there a light flashed to tell his tunnel time it was up. What advise should I give my twin. Has anyone had seizures and had there aad fire off or not(if you could tell). Anyone with seizue history or not or a doc, medic give me just personal advice. Tom Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mailin 0 #2 January 19, 2006 Most states have a 6 month rule when it comes to driving. You have to be 6 months seizure free to drive... skydiving is MUCH more dangerous than driving! He would be endangering his life and the life of anyone he skydives with if he should have a seizure on a skydive. If he can get a doctor to say, confidently, that he will NEVER have another seizure - skydiving would be a go. But if any doctor would issue that statement, I'd be weary of their motivation. There are several different types of seizures also - light sensitive seizures are very very difficult to control. If it turns out that he has a light sensitive seizure disorder there will be much more in his life he will be worried about - skydiving will not be one of them. Just going outside will be a major hassle. I can completely empathize with being told you can't participate in something, but having a seizure disorder can be a MAJOR safety hazard. He'll need testing to assure that he doesn't have seizure activity (I think its called an EEG), and then he'll be put on medication that will take MONTHS to adjust to. If I were in his shoes I wouldn't even think about setting foot on a dropzone, let alone get in a jump plane. Seriously, sorry it happened but from your description it was a MAJOR seizure and he lost all control of his body. If that happened on a skydive he could kill other people. Stay on the ground. JenArianna Frances Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trekker945 0 #3 January 19, 2006 I will tell my punk twin that. Never thought of the affects of endangering others. I just signed on today and this is a great website Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BASE841 3 #4 January 19, 2006 I wouldn't rule out skydiving just yet. USPA Basic Safety Requirements (BSRs) state that to make a skydive, you need to have one of three documents: an FAA Medical Certificate, a certificate of physical fitness for skydiving from a registered physician, or the USPA medical statement. Most people just sign the medical statement (trivia note, tandem instructors need the FAA certificate.) The medical statement reads in part: "I...have never been treated for or diagnosed to have any of the following...fainting spells or convulsions...” That means your twin cannot sign the medical statement and must have something specific from an MD. Seizures can have dozens of causes, not all of them neurological. Your twin needs to see a doctor again. That doctor needs to know the history, all the events leading up to the seizure (especially the alcohol and lack of sleep) and that your twin wants to skydive. A seizure is a serious thing, easily deadly during a skydive. But just because a seizure happened one time doesn't mean skydiving is forever out of the picture. Bottom line, he needs medical clearance. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pope 0 #5 January 20, 2006 Many seizure disorders can be controlled VERY WELL with meds. If drinking, lack of sleep and/or designer drugs are his thing, I wouldn't even have him leave a padded room. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peregrinerose 0 #6 January 21, 2006 Stress/lack of sleep can increase the odds of a seizure in someone who already has a seizure disorder, so I would really recommend seeing a seizure disorder specialist (not just a neurologist, but someone who specifically works with seizures alone!) An EEG needs to be done at the very least. As everyone else mentioned, he should be seizure free for at least six months, preferrably a year, and be controlled with meds (not just winging it and hoping for the best as he seems to be right now). I have a seizure disorder, controlled with meds, have been seizure free for a very long time, and none of my involved losing any motor ability or consciousness at all even to begin with. I've jumped for almost 2 years this way. But I would not want to share the skies with your twin, I would not feel safe at this point in that situation. As others mentioned, he may not care about himself, but you can hurt/maim/kill someone else in this sport with problems or mistakes. Jen Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydvr18 0 #7 January 23, 2006 I still have seizures and don't jump, but I don't think about an AAD. My first thought is a canopy collision. My second thought is my AAD firing, then I land in the middle of nowhere with my toggles still stowed, because I'm having a seizure. I say ask Dr. Freefall. Until you hear back, I say don't jump. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
