Invicta Divers SCUBA Diving School Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. I have Type 2 Diabetes (diet controlled).   Can I SCUBA Dive ?

A. There are about 1.6 million people diagnosed with Diabetes in the UK (thats more than 1 in 40).   Type 2 Diabetes is where your pancreas doesn't always produce enough insulin to manage the levels of glucose in your body.   People with Type 2 Diabetes can manage their condition without taking medications as long as they carefully manage their diet.    It is estimated that half the people who actually have Type 2 Diabetes currently go undiagnosed, as the obvious signs and symptoms may take years to show.   Type 2 Diabetes normally only affects people aged 40+, but being overweight and/or not taking enough excercise can increase the risks for anyone - and alarmingly even some teenagers are now presenting with Type 2 Diabetes.

So what do we do about it ?   We ask everyone to complete a medical checklist before they come to SCUBA Dive.   If you have any conditions listed on the checklist (Diabetes is one) we ask you to check with your GP to confirm that there are no medical reasons why you should not dive.
Your GP may exclude you from diving, suggest sensible restrictions, or give unqualified approval.   You remain responsible for adhering to a sensible dietary regime and correctly managing your condition, and making the decision as to whether you are fit, or unfit, to put yourself forward for each dive.

In the past, just the mention of Diabetes would have categorised you and excluded you from SCUBA Diving.
Happily, nowadays people are treated as individuals.   If your diabetes is properly managed, and you have not experienced a hypoglaecemic or hyperglaecemic event within the last 12 months requiring intervention or assistance from anyone, you are likely to be able to SCUBA Dive.   In fact, because you are fully aware of your condition, you actually have an advantage over those people who are currently undiagnosed.
  
On the day of your dive, you'll eat carefully and check and log your blood glucose levels before and after your dive.   You must explain to your buddy and dive supervisor how to recognise and what to do if you experience the onset of a hypoglaecemic episode.   You must understand and accept that sometimes some people will be unqualified or unable to take on the additional responsibility.

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