While most people can safely learn to scuba dive, certain medical conditions involving the heart, lungs, and neurological system can permanently or temporarily disqualify you from entering the water.
Before starting your training, every diver must fill out a standard medical questionnaire. Conditions that cause sudden incapacitation, unconsciousness, or severe breathing impairment underwater pose immediate safety risks.
Primary Medical Disqualifications
- Cardiovascular Conditions: History of heart attacks, severe arrhythmias, uncorrected congenital heart defects, or uncontrolled high blood pressure.
- Respiratory Issues: Active asthma (especially exercise- or cold-induced), a history of spontaneous pneumothorax (collapsed lung), or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) due to the risk of pulmonary barotrauma during ascent.
- Neurological & Psychological Concerns: Uncontrolled epilepsy or seizure disorders, severe untreated psychiatric conditions, or a history of fainting spells (syncope).
- Ear, Nose, and Throat Problems: Chronic sinus blockages, severe chronic middle ear disease, or perforated eardrums that prevent proper pressure equalization.
If you check “yes” to any condition on the medical questionnaire, it does not automatically mean you can never dive. It simply means you must take the form to a physician (ideally one trained in hyperbaric or dive medicine) for a formal evaluation and sign-off.
Don’t have any disqualifiers? Start your scuba journey here: