Serious injury and death are associated with poor physical conditioning regular aerobic exercise should already be part of a diver’s routine before arriving for their dive physical. Diving is a potentially strenuous activity that can put substantial demands on the cardiovascular system.
This may include an electrocardiogram or exercise treadmill test. People with known risk factors for coronary artery disease, including but not limited to an abnormal lipid profile, elevated blood pressure, diabetes, and smoking history, who wish to either begin a dive program or continue diving, should undergo a physical examination to assess their cardiovascular fitness. Although medications should be reviewed for their compatibility with diving, it is usually the underlying condition for which the medication is taken that is of concern. Mental health disorders (such as anxiety, claustrophobia, or substance abuse) and disorders affecting central nervous system higher function and consciousness (such as seizures) raise special concerns about diving fitness. Underlying respiratory conditions, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or a history of spontaneous pneumothorax, can challenge the breathing capacity required of divers. Planning for dive-related travel should take into account chronic health conditions, any recent changes in health (including pregnancy, injuries, and surgeries), and medication use. The onus, then, is on the recreational diver to assess potential risks before diving, recognize signs of injury, and seek qualified dive medicine help when needed.
Divers face a variety of medical challenges, but because dive injuries are generally rare, few clinicians are trained in their prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
Published estimates report anywhere from 0.5 million to 4 million people in the United States participate in recreational diving many travel to tropical areas of the world to dive.
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