Mon–Thu 9am–6pm, Fri 9am–1pm, Sun 10am–1pm · Walk-ins welcome

Mon–Thu 9am–6pm  |  Fri 9am–1pm  |  Sun 10am–1pm02 9389 8000

Dive DoctorDr Harry Hirschowitz, Bondi
Book a dive medicalBook
Walk-ins welcome

Diving with asthma, diabetes and other medical conditions

Having a medical condition doesn’t always mean you can’t dive. Some conditions rule diving out, others need extra tests, and many just need a careful assessment.

Book a dive medical Call 02 9389 8000

This page is general information, not medical advice. Whether you can dive is decided at your medical, based on your own health.

Asthma

Asthma is one of the most common reasons divers need a medical. Breathing compressed air and changes in pressure can cause problems if your airways narrow underwater, and many dive operators ask anyone with asthma for an AS4005.1 medical, even if they’re already certified.

Dr Harry will ask how well controlled your asthma is, what triggers it and what medication you use, and a breathing test may be done. Some people with well-controlled asthma can be cleared to dive and others can’t. Bring details of your medications and any recent specialist letters.

Diabetes

Diabetes, particularly when it’s treated with insulin or some tablets, can cause low blood sugar. Underwater that can lead to confusion or a blackout, so it needs careful individual assessment, and some dive operators have their own rules. Bring your recent results and details of your treatment.

Epilepsy and blackouts

Any condition that can cause a sudden loss of consciousness, such as epilepsy or unexplained fainting, is a serious concern underwater and generally rules out scuba diving. Talk it through with Dr Harry.

Ear and sinus problems

Your ears and sinuses need to equalise as the pressure changes. Trouble equalising, repeated ear infections, a perforated eardrum or previous middle-ear surgery all need to be assessed.

Lung conditions

A previous collapsed lung (pneumothorax), lung cysts, obstructive lung disease or previous chest surgery can raise the risk of lung injury as you ascend. These need careful assessment, and some rule diving out.

Heart and blood pressure

Diving is more physically demanding than it looks. A previous heart attack, heart disease or high blood pressure needs assessment, and further tests may be needed.

Pregnancy

Diving isn’t recommended during pregnancy.

Medications

Some medications can affect you underwater, for example by making you drowsy. Bring a list of everything you take, including over-the-counter medicines.

The full list of conditions to mention when you book is on our home page.

Common questions

Can I scuba dive with asthma?

It depends on how well controlled it is and what triggers it. Some people with asthma can be cleared to dive after a careful assessment, and others can’t. Dr Harry will talk it through with you at your medical.

Can I scuba dive with diabetes?

Diabetes needs careful individual assessment, especially if it’s treated with insulin. Some dive operators also have their own rules, so check with yours.

If I have a condition, will I definitely be told I can’t dive?

No. Many conditions just need a careful assessment, and sometimes a test or specialist opinion. If you’re not cleared on the day, Dr Harry will explain why and what comes next.

Ready to book your dive medical?

Book a dive medical Call 02 9389 8000 Walk-ins welcome during opening hours: Mon–Thu 9am–6pm, Fri 9am–1pm, Sun 10am–1pm. 248 Bondi Road, Bondi.

More dive medical guides

Great Barrier Reef dive medicalsHeading to Cairns or the Whitsundays? Get your AS4005.1 medical before you fly. Learning to dive: PADI and SSI coursesStarting your Open Water course? How the dive medical works and when to book. The AS4005.1 dive medical explainedWhat the Australian Standard covers, what’s checked, and how often you need one. Dive medicals in SydneyEasy to reach from the CBD and the Eastern Suburbs. Walk-ins welcome.
Diving emergency? Call 000 first. For specialist diving advice, the Diving Emergency Service runs a 24-hour line on 1800 088 200.

Privacy policy

Dive Doctor is part of Bondi Road Medical Centre, 248 Bondi Road, Bondi NSW 2026. We’re committed to protecting your privacy in line with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles.

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This website itself has no forms, accounts, cookies or tracking. Online bookings are made on the Bondi Road Medical Centre website, and calls go straight to the practice. The page loads its fonts from Google Fonts and its map from Google Maps, and Google may receive your IP address and use cookies when providing them.

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When you visit, we collect and hold information needed to care for you, which may include:

We usually collect this from you directly, in person, by phone or on a registration form. Sometimes it comes from a person responsible for you, or from other health providers where the law allows.

We use it to provide your care and complete your dive medical paperwork, to communicate with you, to meet legal obligations, to manage billing, and to work with other health professionals involved in your care.

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You can ask to see or correct the information we hold about you by calling 02 9389 8000 or emailing bondiclinic@gmail.com. If you have a privacy concern, please contact us first. If you’re not satisfied with our response, you can contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner at oaic.gov.au.

Read Bondi Road Medical Centre’s full privacy policy