1. Do you know how to swim? If the answer is "no," then we suggest a hobby that does not involve water. (We're legally obligated to ask this question.)
2. Are you comfortable being in water for hours at a time? Even if you know how to swim, scuba diving can be tiring, so your swimming skills should be fairly strong.
3. If you are overweight, tire easily, have diabetes, a heart condition, or any other predisposition to drowning, then talk to your doctor before scuba diving.
4. Some people have problems getting used to breathing through their mouths instead of their noses. This problem can be easily fixed through practice with a snorkel or regulator in "safe" environments like a pool or bathtub.
5. A harder problem to overcome is equalizing the pressure in your ears as you descend lower and lower into the water. That is, being able to "pop" your ears, like on a plane. As you go deeper in the ocean, pressure builds, and it is crucial to your physical being that you be able to pop your ears. If you are having trouble equalizing, don't go any deeper.
6. When you have congestion it's really hard to equalize. People with colds and allergies should reschedule their dives. Try diving into a good bowl of chicken noodle soup instead.
7. If you are prone to getting seasick, don't go.
SoYouWanna know more? Check out our full-length article SYW know what you have to do to pass a scuba diving certification exam?
