Older travelers who skip key step before popular vacation activity could be risking their health

Many travelers and cruise lovers whitethorn see scuba diving during a abrogation travel a cherished bucket-list point — but a brace of caller deaths person driven location concerns astir diving risks for older Americans, adjacent arsenic experts accidental the enactment remains comparatively safe.

A 64-year-old pistillate successful West Hills, California, passed distant connected Jan. 26 aft going scuba diving disconnected the seashore of Catalina Island successful the Golden State, authorities said.

She exhibited signs of distress portion diving, the Los Angeles Times reported — and died aboriginal astatine a hospital. 

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On that aforesaid day, a 66-year-old antheral from Waukee, Iowa, died successful a diving mishap disconnected the seashore of Manasota Key Beach, Florida. 

He and a diving spouse had gone hunting for shark teeth, according to reports — but helium ne'er resurfaced. His assemblage was recovered respective hours later.

A brace of caller deaths person driven location concerns astir diving risks for older Americans, adjacent arsenic experts accidental the enactment remains comparatively safe. (iStock)

Both deaths are inactive being investigated.

There are immoderate 2.5 cardinal scuba divers successful the U.S. each year, according to the Diving Equipment & Marketing Association, a commercialized radical headquartered successful San Diego — and superior incidents are rare. 

Experts accidental deaths are uncommon, peculiarly erstwhile divers are decently screened, trained and prepared. 

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Still, physicians constituent retired that age-related changes tin marque diving adventures riskier. 

The assemblage doesn't ever respond the aforesaid mode portion underwater, and pre-existing aesculapian conditions tin go exacerbated during a dive. Aging affects aggregate systems needed during scuba diving, accidental experts — and cardiovascular wellness is 1 of the astir significant.

Doctors accidental the assemblage doesn't ever respond the aforesaid mode underwater. (AP Photo/Chris Gillette)

Cardiac events relationship for astir 20% to 30% of diving-related deaths. The likelihood increases successful older adults, according to the Divers Alert Network, an planetary nonprofit headquartered successful Durham, North Carolina. It's focused connected diver information and exigency assistance. 

"The cardinal aesculapian considerations are — successful my opinion, archetypal and foremost — cardiovascular health. Pre-dive cardiac screening is essential," Dr. Lara Lambiase, a dive medicine specialist, told InDEPTH magazine successful Sept. 2025. 

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"Aging tin besides trim lung elasticity, which whitethorn go a captious factor."

Older travelers are encouraged to docket a aesculapian valuation earlier they spell diving. The valuation should see a cardiovascular appraisal and a treatment astir pre-existing aesculapian conditions.

"Aging tin trim lung elasticity, which whitethorn go a captious factor."

Many older adults are managing chronic conditions specified arsenic bosom disease, precocious humor unit oregon pulmonary issues, oregon instrumentality medications that tin impact exertion, hydration oregon breathing.

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"Remember that you should get successful signifier to scuba dive," Dr. Douglas Ebersole, a cardiology advisor for the Divers Alert Network, told the aforesaid work past year. "You should not scuba dive to get successful shape." 

Preparation is cardinal — and choosing reputable dive operators is essential, experts say.

Underwater landscapes tin beryllium enjoyed arsenic agelong arsenic precautions are taken. (AP Photo/Catlin Seaview Survey)

Refresher grooming tin beryllium helpful, adjacent for experienced divers. Reviewing skills specified arsenic aerial management, buoyancy power and exigency procedures tin trim accent and fatigue during dives.

"A large occupation is the seasonal diver who returns aft six months distant and is not acceptable astatine all," Neal W. Pollock, dive physiology researcher, said past year, according to the aforesaid source.

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"We bash not ever admit we are slipping — but, implicit time, we each do."

Experts urge staying wrong blimpish extent and clip limits, avoiding overexertion and adding remainder days.

Turks and Caicos, a fashionable destination for scuba diving, is shown above. "A large occupation is the seasonal diver who returns aft six months distant and is not acceptable astatine all," said 1 expert.  (iStock)

Staying hydrated and avoiding intoxicant earlier dives tin assistance trim fatigue and stress, peculiarly successful hot, tropical environments, they besides note.

Travelers should guarantee dive operators transportation oxygen and person exigency protocols.

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Lastly, experts promote buddy practices. 

They urge that radical enactment adjacent to a dive spouse and debar solo dives.