Health and Scuba Diving
Scuba diving is one of the most fun, safe, and adventurous recreational activity that you can perform solo or with a group of people. While the number of fatalities associated with scuba diving is low in respect to the millions who participate in the sport worldwide, you should not neglect the general safety concerns that abound. While scuba diving is safe, it is not for everyone. People with some health conditions are more predisposed to risks associated with scuba diving. The first step you should take before you signup for any scuba diving courses is to make an appointment to visit a health practitioner for a complete physical and mental evaluation.
While there are no specific health standards for scuba diving, there are some health conditions that if you have them you probably shouldn’t consider scuba diving. If you have conditions such as pregnancy, the flu, and colds you should not go scuba diving. These conditions are only temporary so you are only avoiding the activity for a limited time. There hasn’t been conclusive evidence whether or not an unborn baby suffers any damage when the mother goes scuba diving. However, there are risks to all divers such as Decompression Sickness, and these risks can be passed on to the fetus even when the mother is not experiencing any symptoms. In regards to colds and flu, if you have these conditions your respiratory system may be affected and you may have trouble clearing your air spaces.
While the health conditions mentioned above will keep you from scuba diving temporarily, long-term health conditions such as asthma will keep you from ever enjoying scuba diving. Numerous environmental conditions can cause an asthmatic attack. It is imperative that someone who suffers with this condition keeps their lungs moist and open. Divers rely on air delivered through small valves, which are basically dry. This can cause a diver with asthma to start coughing and their airways to become constricted. This can result in an asthma attack. If such an incident were to happen, there is very little the diver can do.