SCUBA diving: staying in your depth

Recreational SCUBA (self-contained underwater breathing apparatus) is defined as diving to a depth of 40 metres without decompression stops. This has become increasingly popular over the last two decades, with around 100 000 individuals in the UK participating in diving (British Thoracic Society, 2003; Edmonds, Lowry, Pennefather & Walker, 2005). This article considers what GPs need to know about contraindications to diving, professional liability associated with documenting fitness to dive and the role of diving medicine specialists.