Health Considerations
Health Considerations
There are a few diseases or conditions that are partially or completely incompatible with scuba diving. The Recreational Scuba Training Council (RSTC) has developed a medical self-evaluation form where divers can report their medical conditions, which is a good starting point. According to the diving community and hyperbaric medical standards, divers who answer “yes” to any of the questions on the list need a medical evaluation by a diving/hyperbaric doctor. But even if divers answer “no” to the questions, it is always prudent to undergo an assessment by a diving/hyperbaric doctor, as there could be conditions unknown to the divers that could put them at risk during diving.
In some areas, a “Fit to Dive” certificate is required by local legal regulations. Consult your instructor and ask if you will be required to present such a document before you start the training.
The following is a list of conditions that require a mandatory medical evaluation before diving, but remember, even if you answer “no,” a questionnaire cannot substitute for a consultation with a diving doctor. Not all conditions listed below will prevent you from scuba diving, but your doctor and instructor should be aware of them.
- Currently smoke a pipe, cigars, cigarettes, or e-cigarettes
- Have a high cholesterol level
- Have a family history of heart attack or stroke
- Are currently receiving medical care
- Have high blood pressure
- Have diabetes mellitus, even if controlled by diet alone
- Asthma, wheezing with breathing or wheezing with exercise
- Frequent or severe attacks of hay fever or allergies
- Frequent colds, sinusitis, or bronchitis
- Any form of lung disease
- Pneumothorax (collapsed lung)
- Other chest disease or chest surgery
- Behavioral health, mental, or psychological problems (panic attack, fear of closed or open spaces)
- Epilepsy, seizures, convulsions, or take medications to prevent them
- Blackouts or fainting (full/partial loss of consciousness)
- Frequent or severe suffering from motion sickness (seasick, carsick, etc.)
- Dysentery or dehydration requiring medical intervention
- Any dive accidents or decompression sickness
- Head injury with loss of consciousness in the past five years
- Recurrent back problems
- Back or spinal surgery
- Back, arm, or leg problems following surgery, injury, or fracture
- Heart disease
- Angina, heart surgery, or blood vessel surgery
- Sinus surgery
- Ear disease or surgery, hearing loss or problems with balance
- Recurrent ear problems
- Bleeding or other blood disorders
- Hernia
- Ulcers or ulcer surgery
- A colostomy or ileostomy
- Recreational drug use or treatment for, or alcoholism in the past five years
