Is Scuba Diving Safe?

Scuba diving is an incredibly safe and rewarding sport when done correctly. We answer some basic questions about how safe you can be while being underwater.

What if I’ve never been diving?

Even if you have never been in the ocean, you can scuba dive with a professional! We call this a ‘Try Dive’ or a ‘Discover Dive.’ If you enjoy it (and we bet you will!), you can then take a class that certifies you to dive anywhere in the world, up to 60 feet/18 meters deep. This class teaches you basic skills and safety techniques, like how to check your dive gear, responsible underwater communication, and how to safely engage with the underwater habitat. Your instructor is with you every step and fin-kick of the way and works with you on the basic skills to be safe and comfortable underwater. 

What if I have _______________ medical condition?

ALL students and Basic Divers (Try Dive) must fill out a medical form before diving. We ask if you have a variety of conditions that may affect your diving, like if you might be pregnant or have diabetes. If you answer “yes” to any of these questions, a medical professional must give you what’s often called a ‘dive physical’ to ensure that you can safely dive. This is what people often call a ‘medical clearance.’ Even if you say ‘yes’ to a question, that does not mean you cannot dive. It just means we want a doctor to take a look and make sure you’re in the very best health to enjoy your dive. 

What if I can’t swim?

This may seem like a silly question, but it’s really not. We understand that not everyone grew up with a Hawaiian beach in their backyard. We want you to be comfortable, and that usually means some experience being in the water. If you’re not certified, you will be with an instructor the whole time, and they can help you navigate underwater. If you don’t have access to natural water features in your hometown, maybe try some time in a pool before your time here. We dive into the ocean from a boat, so the more swimming experience you have, the more comfortable you will be. 

I’ve heard you can’t fly after diving; what’s up with that?

People often get this backward: flying before diving is always safe. Flying after diving is safe with a minimum of 18 hours in between your last dive and the flight. This is especially true if you’ve done multiple dives on multiple days, as you want your body to off-gas any built-up nitrogen from repeated pressure changes. We recommend at least 24 hours if you dive with required decompression, or after using Heliox and Trimix. Nitrox gas mixes allow you to get a bit more bottom time on our awesome wreck dives and help prevent decompression sickness too! 

Why do I need insurance to dive?

Although we all strive for extreme safety by training to be great divers, diving within our personal limits, and making sure our gear is in great shape, accidents can still happen. Diving is considered an extreme sport, and it’s always best to be prepared for the worst, even while training to be the best. The Divers Alert Network (DAN for short) is an incredible resource that should always be your first step when you have a diving question and want impeccable insurance. Although you don’t HAVE to have insurance to dive with us, we recommend it in case anything should happen. For instance, the partner of one of our dive instructors dropped a tank on a dive boat and crushed her toe. DAN was with her every ouchy step of the way, and she didn’t have to take a penny out of her own pocket! Seriously, ask any diver: DAN is the best!