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.

Could you be pregnant, or are you attempting to become pregnant?
Are you presently taking prescription medications?
  • 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