Scuba Diving Restrictions

10 year old at the time of your dive excursion. (Children under the age of 18, must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.)

All participants will be asked to complete our Registeration and Release form and a Medical History form.

Dive instructors send their students to physicians when they want more information about that Individual's health. The most common reason for referral is that a student has a diagnosed medical condition or is under the care of a physician. The evaluation is simply an assessment of compatibility for scuba with various medical conditions. Read our Medical History Formand if you have questions about your fitness to dive or have any of the conditions below you should cusult your doctor prior to your vacation. Other reasons a diving student may be asked to see a doctor include (but are not limited to):

* a history of heart or lung disease

* an unexplained loss of consciousness or "blackout

* a history of nausea or vomiting

* the use of prescription or non-prescription medications

* shortness of breath

* repeated trouble clearing air spaces

No upper age limit for participation in scuba diving exists, provided a diver is healthy and fit and has no disqualifying medical conditions. Some divers may be asked by their physician to perform an exercise tolerance test to rule out any cardiovascular (heart) problems - this is appropriate when the diver is older or appears generally out of shape. This test allows a physician to collect information about how well an individual responds to exercise.

Let your dive instructor know if you are taking any medications, whether they're prescribed by your doctor or purchased over the counter. Most medications will have no effect on diving, but some may cause drowsiness or fatigue, which may increase their susceptibility to nitrogen narcosis. Others may affect heart rate. Read the warning labels and precautions before using prescription or over-the-counter drugs, especially if you plan to dive. The likelihood of an unexpected reaction to medications at depth varies from diver to diver, and even from day to day. If you start a new medication, be sure there are no side effects at the surface before entering the water. (This is especially true of anti-motion sickness medications.) If a medication "may cause drowsiness" or suggests restricting the use of machinery after taking the medication, it may be best to reconsider your plan to dive and wait until you're no longer taking that medication.

There is concern about the advisability of allowing individuals with asthma or insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus to dive. Some individuals with a history of asthma are permitted to dive by their physicians - after a careful evaluation. Diabetes and many other medical conditions must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis with an appropriate medical specialist.

Scuba diving is an activity that anyone with good health and fitness can enjoy for a lifetime. To get the most out of your lifetime of diving, practice disease and injury prevention and participate in a health maintenance program.

Don't hide or downplay any medical condition or health problem. It's better to have an open and frank discussion before a problem arises than to wonder if the injury could have been avoided.