Diving with Asthma or Other Respiratory Conditions
Diving with asthma or other respiratory conditions isn’t off-limits — but it takes preparation. Learn how to dive safely and know when it’s best to sit one out.
SAFETY WHILE DIVING
Diving with Asthma or Other Respiratory Conditions
If you have asthma or another respiratory condition, you might wonder whether scuba diving is safe — or even allowed. The good news? Many people with well-managed conditions can dive safely. But diving with asthma (or similar lung issues) does require a few extra precautions, and it’s important to understand the risks involved.
The main concern with asthma and diving is air trapping. When air gets stuck in the lungs due to narrowed or inflamed airways, it can expand dangerously as you ascend — leading to lung overexpansion injuries like pneumothorax or arterial gas embolism. That’s why dive professionals and doctors take asthma seriously when evaluating someone for dive fitness.
That said, asthma isn’t an automatic disqualification. In fact, the Divers Alert Network (DAN) reports that many asthmatics dive without problems — especially when their symptoms are well-controlled and they don’t have exercise-induced attacks. What matters most is individual assessment and a recent medical exam with a doctor who understands diving physiology.
If you're considering diving with a respiratory condition:
Get a physician’s clearance — ideally from someone with hyperbaric or dive medicine experience
Make sure your condition is well-managed, with no recent flare-ups
Avoid diving if you have active symptoms, like wheezing, coughing, or chest tightness
Monitor yourself for exercise-induced symptoms, which may show up during swimming or gear setup
Carry your rescue inhaler with you on the boat, and let your buddy and divemaster know about your condition
Cold water, exertion, and stress can all trigger respiratory symptoms — so it’s important to plan dives that are comfortable, easy, and within your physical limits. Start with calm, warm waters, and avoid strong currents, cold environments, or strenuous shore entries.
Many divers with asthma opt for Nitrox to reduce nitrogen loading and overall breathing resistance, but that should only be done with appropriate training and medical guidance. Also, consider booking through dive operators who are used to accommodating divers with medical conditions — many liveaboards and resorts listed on Divebooker.com are happy to help if you contact them ahead of time.
Finally, always be honest with yourself and your dive pros. Sitting out a dive isn’t a failure — it’s a sign of good judgment. With proper planning, many people with respiratory conditions enjoy long, safe dive careers.
Happy and safe diving,
The ScubaBlast Team
Divers Alert Network. (2023). Diving and Asthma. https://dan.org/health-medicine/health-resources/dive-medical-conditions/asthma/
British Thoracic Society. (2019). Fitness to Dive Assessment in Respiratory Disorders. https://www.brit-thoracic.org.uk/document-library/clinical-information/fitness-to-dive/
PADI. (n.d.). Can People With Asthma Dive? https://www.padi.com/articles/can-you-scuba-dive-with-asthma
Scuba Diving Magazine. (2022). How Lung Conditions Affect Diving Safety. https://www.scubadiving.com/asthma-and-scuba-diving