Before attempting any dive, make sure you're in the best possible mental and physical condition.
While people from all walks of life and ages enjoy scuba diving, being in good health does have its advantages. As with any sport, scuba diving is a physical and mental activity. It not only requires that a diver carry around a lot of heavy gear, but being in the water demands complete concentration and alertness. Being in good physical and mental condition means that you’ll be able to enjoy diving without any worries that something may go wrong.
Before diving, make sure that you’re fit to do so. Some common conditions that most people ignore can be aggravated when diving and can even put you at risk:
Nasal Congestion - One very basic warning all divers get (and should know by heart) is to never dive if you have a cold, allergy or any type of upper respiratory infection. You’ll be at greater risk for barotrauma (pressure-related ear pain), which may lead to further injuries.
Physical Injuries and Surgery – If you’ve suffered an accident, don’t even try to continue with your dive. The physical activity will not only aggravate any existing discomfort, but you’ll have a higher risk of decompression sickness if you have any muscle or joint injuries. Any major surgery requires healing time before strenuous activities, and most doctors recommend a period of 4 to 6 weeks rest. For diving, however, wait until you’re able to exercise before resuming, as long periods of inactivity can cause loss of muscle mass.
Pregnancy – Doctors recommend that expecting mothers do not scuba dive, as there extensive studies on the effects of increased pressure on human fetuses have yet to be conducted. After giving birth, the same rest period as surgeries (4-6 weeks) is recommended, but more for caesarean deliveries.
ALWAYS consult a medical doctor if you have any health issues before you go diving and if you feel something is not right – don’t even take a chance. Do not attempt to dive or abort the dive as soon as possible. By ignoring any signs of illness, you are not only putting yourself in danger, but the lives of your diving buddies as well.
Source: Divers Alert Network (DAN) http://www.diversalertnetwork.org
