Scuba Diving

Make sure that the dive school or operator you choose follows recognised international training and safety standards and is affiliated with a well-established diving organisation, such as CMAS, PADI, BSAC or NAUI. This provides better assurance of appropriate training, equipment standards and safe diving procedures.

Medical Fitness to Dive

Scuba diving places particular demands on the heart, lungs, ears and other parts of the body. Before starting a diving course, you will normally be asked to complete a medical screening questionnaire. Healthy people without relevant medical conditions may not require a separate medical examination, but certain conditions, symptoms, medicines or other risk factors require assessment by a doctor before diving.

If medical assessment is required, it is preferable to consult a doctor familiar with diving medicine.

Seek Medical Advice Before Diving If You Have

  • heart or lung disease
  • asthma
  • epilepsy or a history of seizures
  • diabetes
  • ear or sinus problems
  • previous problems during or after diving
  • another chronic medical condition that may affect your ability to dive safely

Training and Experience

A short introductory session may be sufficient for a supervised, shallow introductory dive, but it is not adequate preparation for independent or more advanced diving. Safe diving requires appropriate training, practical skills, experience and good judgement.

If you want to continue diving, complete a recognised entry-level scuba diving course. Remember that diving conditions vary considerably around the world. Training in warm, clear tropical water does not automatically prepare you for cold water, strong currents, poor visibility, greater depths or other more demanding conditions. Seek additional training and experience before diving in unfamiliar or more challenging environments.

Ear Problems and Diving

Outer ear infections (otitis externa or “swimmer's ear”) are relatively common among divers, particularly after repeated exposure to warm or contaminated water.

Earwax normally helps protect the ear canal and should not routinely be removed. However, excessive earwax or an earwax blockage can trap water and contribute to problems. If you frequently experience blocked ears, trapped water or ear infections, have your ears assessed by a healthcare professional rather than trying to clean deep inside the ear canal yourself.

After diving, allow water to drain from the ears and dry the outer ear gently. Do not insert cotton buds or other objects into the ear canal.

Do not continue diving if you develop ear pain, discharge, significant hearing changes or difficulty equalising pressure. Seek medical advice, preferably from a doctor familiar with diving medicine.

Remember When Diving

  • Dive only with reputable operators who follow recognised safety standards.
  • Stay within the limits of your training and experience.
  • Do not dive if you are unwell, have a cold, fever or problems equalising pressure in your ears or sinuses.
  • Maintain normal hydration before and after diving, but there is no need to drink excessive amounts of fluid.
  • Seek medical advice for unexpected symptoms during or after diving.
  • Allow an adequate surface interval before flying or travelling to a significantly higher altitude after diving.

Symptoms After Diving

Unexpected symptoms developing during the first 24 hours after diving may be related to the dive. Possible symptoms of decompression illness include unusual tiredness, joint or muscle pain, numbness or tingling, weakness, dizziness, difficulty walking, breathing problems, confusion or other neurological symptoms.

If you develop unexplained symptoms after diving, stop diving and seek medical advice promptly, preferably from a doctor or emergency service familiar with diving medicine. If decompression illness is suspected, emergency assessment is required.

Flying After Diving

Flying after diving exposes the body to a further reduction in atmospheric pressure and may increase the risk of decompression sickness. Recommended minimum intervals before flying depend on the type and amount of diving:

  • At least 12 hours after a single dive within no-decompression limits.
  • At least 18 hours after multiple dives in one day or diving on several consecutive days.
  • Longer than 18 hours, and preferably at least 24 hours or longer after dives requiring decompression stops.

Longer intervals provide an additional safety margin. If your dive computer or diving organisation recommends a longer interval, follow the more conservative recommendation. Do not fly if you have symptoms that could indicate decompression illness.


Senast uppdaterad 2026-09-02