As people of all ages and athletic abilities pursue spearfishing considefration must be given to the fitness level required for spearfishing. Spearfishing requires a measure of strenth and samina.
Keep in mind that not all of your diving will be the same – water and weather conditions vary from dive to dive and even the beginning to end of some dives. You may be required to swim through strong currents and perform long surface swims, in particular when shore diving.
Spearfishers need to be able to perofrm unexpected strenuous physical tasks. Also, they should not have any health conditions or be taking any medications that may cause problems while spearfishing.
Spearfishing is an activity that anyone with good health and fitness can enjory for a lifetime. To get the most out of your lifetime of diving, practice disease and injury prevention and participate in a heath maintenance program.
The information on tis page has adapted for spearfishing from DAN.
– Medical Restrictions on Diving
Medical Restrictions on Diving
Some medical conditions – such as colds, flu, injury or pregnancy – will temporarily restrict diving. Colds or flu, swelling or blockage in the Eustachian tubes or sinuses may prevent adequate equalisation of these air spaces with the water pressure.
Advice on equalization from Sydney Freedivers
Injuries to joints and muscles may not only reduce diving ability but also increase susceptibility to decompression illness. It is best to postpone diving until the injuries are fully healed.
Little is known about the effects of diving on an unborn child, it is recommended that pregnant women wait to dive until after a pregnancy.
Other medical conditions that restrict movement of a diver’s arms and legs may limit in water mobility.
You should definitely consult a doctor before diving if you have any of the above conditions, but also other conditions like a history of heart or lung disease, nausea/vomiting, unexplained black-outs, shortness of breath, have the appearance of not being physically fit, are taking any medication, or have repeated trouble clearing air spaces.
No upper age limit for participation in spearfishing exists, provided a diver is fit and healthy and has no disqualifying medical conditions.
Diving on Medications
Some medications may cause drowsiness or fatigue. Others may affect heart rate. Read the warning labels carefully and consult a doctor if you are unsure.
Asthma & Diabetes
There is concern about the advisability of allowing indivituals with asthma or insulin dependent diabetes mellitus to dive. Some individuals with a history of asthma are permitted to dive by their doctors – after a careful evaluation. Diabetes and many other medical contidions must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by an appropraite medical specialist.
