Can I dive?
Scuba diving is an incredible experience, but it also requires a good level of health & fitness. Before joining one of our adventures, it’s important to understand a few basic safety and medical considerations to make sure you’re ready to dive comfortably and with confidence.
Health requirements
To dive safely, you should be in good general health and comfortable in the water. Diving can be physically demanding, and your heart, lungs, and sinuses must be healthy. Even seemingly minor conditions — such as ear issues, asthma, or medication use — can affect safety. Providing false or incomplete medical information may result in serious injury or death. If it becomes evident during your voyage that your questionnaire was inaccurately completed, the Dive Supervisor aboard Summer Jo reserves the right to refuse diving or snorkelling participation to ensure the safety of all guests and crew.
Before your trip, please complete one of the short Self-Assessment Questionnaires below to determine if a medical evaluation is required. Honesty and accuracy are essential. A “Yes” answer does not automatically exclude you from diving; it simply means medical advice is recommended before entering the water. If evaluation is needed, please take the Diver Medical Examiner’s Evaluation Form to your physician.
Insurance
We strongly recommend that all guests obtain comprehensive travel insurance before travelling. Your policy should cover unexpected events such as illness, weather disruptions, itinerary changes, cancellations, or travel delays.
Because many standard travel insurance policies do not include coverage for diving-related incidents, we suggest choosing a policy that specifically covers scuba diving, including medical treatment, evacuation, recompression therapy, and trip interruption.
For added peace of mind, look for insurance options that offer optional add-ons such as:
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Coverage for liveaboard or overnight dive trips
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Protection against flight delays, mechanical vessel issues, or medical inability to dive
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Weather-related coverage — including force majeure events like cyclones (especially important between December and April)
In the event of a medical emergency, all evacuation, treatment, and vessel relocation costs remain the responsibility of the guest. Please review your insurance policy carefully to ensure it meets your needs before your departure.
Flying after diving
Queensland law requires a minimum 24-hour surface interval after your final dive before flying or travelling to altitude (defined as 300m/1,000ft above sea level).
As a general guide:
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Single, no-decompression dive: Wait at least 12 hours before flying.
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Multiple dives: Wait at least 24 hours before flying or going to altitude.
While these guidelines reduce the risk of decompression sickness, they do not eliminate it entirely. Guests are encouraged to plan for a rest day between diving and air travel.
Our overnight diving experiences typically conclude by midday, making it easier to enjoy some downtime in Airlie Beach before your onward flight or travel plans.
