Breathing underwater. Navigating shipwrecks. Swimming with sharks. It’s no surprise that the ‘extreme sport’ of scuba diving provokes both curiosity and caution from beginners and the uninitiated. Here, we’re going to answer one of the most common questions: Is scuba diving safe?
Scuba diving is enjoyed by thousands of people around the world every day and it’s considered a low-risk activity compared to many other outdoor and sporting activities. Even such widespread activities as swimming, jogging, and all-terrain vehicle riding have higher reported fatality rates than diving. So, read on as we explore the stats on scuba diving risks, alleviate some common fears, and share a few tips on how to keep scuba diving safe.
How likely are you to be injured while diving?
The most common medical issues associated with scuba diving are sunburn, seasickness, and dehydration (all of which are preventable). There are actually few injuries requiring any sort of medical attention associated with diving. On average, there are only 1,569 scuba-related emergency room admissions in the US each year.
Compared to other popular sporting activities, the estimated average annual ER admissions in the US are:
| Sport | Estimated average annual ER admissions (US, 2016-2020) |
| Swimming | 101,822 |
| Fishing | 65,728 |
| Volleyball | 48,582 |
| Horseback riding | 45,235 |
| Golf | 36,616 |
| Snowboarding | 19,706 |
| Bowling | 15,055 |
| Scuba diving | 1,569 |
What are the risks of scuba diving?
The main scuba diving dangers include:
These can have a variety of causes, such as equipment failure, poor dive planning, or ascending too quickly. However, in most cases, divers can avoid these problems by following safe and correct diving practices (like those taught in courses such as PADI Open Water Diver).
What about sharks?
Every year, dogs, snakes, crocodiles, and even hippos kill more people than sharks. Just in Australia there’s an average of 10 horse-related deaths each year compared to 2 shark-related fatalities: Horse Week, anyone? Most divers love sharks and are ambassadors for this greatly misunderstood animal.
Will I run out of air?
Your dive gear includes a display that tells you how much air you have in your cylinder – think of it like the gas gauge on your car. You’ll learn to check this gauge regularly, so it’s unlikely you’ll run out of air while scuba diving. If you do run out for some reason, your buddy has an extra mouthpiece (regulator) so you can share your buddy’s air while you swim to the surface. Some divers also choose to dive with a small backup supply of air.
Is scuba diving safe during COVID-19?
In many parts of the world, scuba diving has restarted following the pandemic, but with additional precautions to ensure it can be done safely. This might include the use of face coverings, social distancing, and rules for sharing equipment.
- Travel and Diving Safety Tips During and After COVID-19
- COVID-19 Diving & Travel Restrictions by Country
Is scuba diving safe during pregnancy?
There is limited research into the effects of diving on pregnancy. However, the accepted advice (and that of the PADI Open Water Diver course) is that women who are (or trying to get) pregnant should not dive. Learn more about diving and pregnancy.
Do people die scuba diving?
Unfortunately, yes. Like any activity in the natural environment, there are inherent risks in diving that can never be fully eliminated. However, with proper training and when following sound diving practices, the likelihood of a fatal accident is low.
The diver fatality study, as published by Divers Alert Network (DAN), states that in the US there were only 71 diver fatalities reported in 2017 (the latest year for which data is available). With the US diver population estimated at 2.85 million, this equates to an approximate 2 per 100,000 participants fatality rate, which compares favorably with other common sports such as horseback riding (est. 128 deaths per 100,000 participants).
Considering diving fatalities further, DAN’s most recent Annual Diving Report shows that around 50 percent of scuba diving deaths are associated with an acute cardiac event. In addition, “two-thirds of the reported fatalities in 2017 were between 50 and 80 years of age”. Often, multiple pre-existing conditions are present: hypertensive heart disease, cardiomegaly, diabetes, obesity, in addition to advanced age and other risk factors like smoking.
* Divers Alert Network (DAN) publishes the DAN Annual Diving Report each year. It includes data and analysis on dive incidents, injuries, and fatalities for a given year, and discussion on how to keep scuba diving safe based on emerging trends.
Proper training and following the rules are key
The majority of scuba diving injuries and deaths are the result of diver error. So, it’s important to get proper training and always follow the rules and procedures you learned in class.
In the PADI Open Water Diver course, you’ll learn important skills and safety concepts and practice them in a pool (or pool-like environment) before moving on to the ocean, lake, or other large body of water. If you’re not sure if an open water certification is for you, ask your local PADI Dive Center or Resort about a Discover Scuba Diving experience. You’ll get a chance to try on scuba gear, breathe off a scuba tank, and find out if scuba diving is for you while having fun with friends.
PADI Instructors uphold diving’s highest standards. All PADI programs fall under strict educational standards monitored for worldwide consistency and quality. PADI randomly surveys PADI Divers to confirm their courses meet PADI’s high standards as well as the divers’ expectations. No other diver training organization works to maintain this level of professional reliability and integrity.
Tips for keeping scuba diving safe
As well as completing (and following) the proper training and keeping your skills up to date, there are many things every diver can do to help dive safe and avoid scuba-related incidents. For example:
- Keep your equipment well-maintained and check it before every dive
- Listen to the brief so you know the plan – and any local hazards
- Always do your buddy check. It’s easier to fix issues while you’re on the surface!
- Don’t dive alone. A buddy isn’t just good company, but a partner in safety
- Be fit to dive. Both in general health, but also how you’re feeling on the day
- Don’t touch! Many creatures can be dangerous when provoked
- Travel safely, from sun protection to storing gear on boats
- Know your limits and stick to them!
These guidelines apply to every diver, from beginners right the way through to the most experienced instructors. In addition, all PADI Professionals and Rescue Divers have completed training to deal with diving-related emergencies, and the Emergency First Response course is open to any level of diver (and non-divers!).
We hope this article has helped put your mind at ease about our favorite underwater sport, and answered the question, ‘Is scuba diving safe?‘. But, if you have additional questions, contact your local PADI Dive Center or Resort or reach out to our community of divers on Facebook. Or, become a DAN Prepared Diver. The online course is free when you join PADI Club.
