"My ears hurt when I go to the bottom of a swimming pool or when I dive down snorkeling. Will that keep me from becoming a Scuba diver?"
No, assuming you have no irregularities in your ears and sinuses. The discomfort is the normal effect of water pressure on your ears. Fortunately, our bodies are designed to adjust for pressure changes in our ears - you just need to learn how.
"Does a history of ear troubles, diabetes, asthma, allergies or smoking preclude someone from diving?"
Not necessarily. Any condition that effects the ears, sinuses, respiratory function, heart function or may alter consciousness is a concern, but only a physician can assess a person's individual risk. Physicians can consult with the Divers Alert Network (DAN) as necessary when assessing a scuba candidate.
Do women have any special concerns regarding diving?
Aside from pregnancy, no. Because physiologists know little about effects of diving on the fetus, the recomendation is that women avoid diving while pregnant or trying to become pregnant. Menstruation in not normally a concern.
What happens if I use up all of my air?
That's not likely because you have a guage that tells you how much air you have at all times. This way, you can return to the surface with a safety reserve remaining. But, to answer the question, if you run out of air, your buddy has a spare mouthpiece that allows you to share a single air supply while swimming to the surface. There are also other options you will learn in training.
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"What are the most common injuries or sicknesses associated with diving?"
Sun burn and seasickness, both of which are preventable with over the counter preventatives. The most common injuries caused by marine life are scrapes and stings, most of which can be avoided by wearing an exposure suit, staying off the bottom and watching where you put your hands and feet.
"What about sharks?"
When you're lucky, you get to see a shark. Although incidents with sharks occur, they are very, very rare and with respect to diving, primarily involving spear fishing or feeding sharks, both of which trigger feeding behavior. Most of the time, if you see a shark, it's passing through and a relatively rare sight to enjoy.
How deep do you go?
With necessary training and experiences, the limit for recreational scuba diving is 30 meters/130 feet. Beginning divers stay shallower than about 18 meters/60 feet. Although these are the limits, some of the most popular diving is no deeper than 12 meters/ 40 feet where the water is warmer and the colors are brighter.
What if I feel claustrophobic?
Although wearing a lot of equipment may seem awkward, many people find the "weightlessness" of scuba to be quite freeing. Modern dive masks are available in translucent models, which you may prefer if a mask makes you feel closed in. During your training, your instructor gives you plenty of time and coaching to become comfortable with each stage of learning. Your instructor works with you at your own pace to ensure you master each skill necessary to become a capable diver who dives regularly.
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