March 18 - Seminar on Scuba Diving and Diabetes

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Permalink Reply by Jessica Rasmus on March 8, 2009 at 9:35pm

hi.. i actually have a question or 2 about D and scuba diving. for my spring break last year i was in mexico and had the opportunity to scuba dive (assisted of course i have no certification) but when i said i had diabetes i was turned away. The instructor was an american who then told me i was too much of a risk and responsibility and that most instructors even in the US would not take me or allow me to dive because of my diabetes... my question, was this a load of BS? or is there some truth to it?

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Permalink Reply by Melissa on March 9, 2009 at 5:22pm

I have never been turned away by a dive operation because of my diabetes. However, some places do require that you have a medical release form signed by your doctor that says its ok for you to go diving. And unfortunately there are other places that won't take on divers with diabetes at all (because of liability/legal concerns). Up until recently, people with diabetes were generally told that they could not dive, but that has changed over the past few years as studies have been completed that show that people with diabetes can safely enjoy scuba diving. My best advice is to talk to the dive shops in your area and/or where you are traveling to and find out what their policies are on diabetes.

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Permalink Reply by Jessica Rasmus on March 10, 2009 at 8:21pm

ok thank you !!

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