Womens Corner

Women have the same basic questions and concerns about diving in the beginning as men plus some additional questions.  There has been a lack of information as well as conflicting information available.  We hope this site will answer questions for you and your buddy.  If not, please feel free to contact us about any questions or comments you may have. 

Check out the information below and for larger issues check out the drop down boxes under this site.

Today men and women divers share the same goals and can dive to the same depth.  This was not always the case.   We will be adding a section on Dive History for Women in the future, so check back.

You will notice that some of the information contained here can be applied for to men also.

PHYSIOLOGICAL ASPECTS

Diving is a rigorous sport so you need to maintain a good degree of fitness and tailor your diving activities to your physical abilities. 

ANATOMY & STRUCTURAL DIFFERENCES

FAT -Women, in fact, generally do have more body fat than men; but somewhere along the line, the connection was made that this was the cause of decompression illness in women. If that extra bit of body fat caused DCI in women, then it follows that men who have extra adipose tissue should run the same risk. This simply isn't the case.

DCS - When we break down dive injuries by the sex and experience of the diver, we find a much stronger relationship between females and their dive experience: women who have been diving for less than two years generally account for 39 percent to 50 percent of all injuries in female divers.

Balance - Women have a lower center of gravity.  The trunk is usually longer and the legs are shorter which gives women better balance, dexterity and flexibility.  Joint shape differs.  The elbow and hip bones meet at angles different from a mans joints.  Now you know why you throw like a girl.

The cardiovascular system, heart, lungs, circulation, differ.  The heart and lungs are smaller, even relative to weight.

Women breathe more shallowly than men do which means they will use less air while their heart rate is higher.

Breast Implants - Saline-filled breast implants are neutrally buoyant.  Silicone implants are negatively buoyant and may therefore to some degree affect buoyancy and trim.  Constrictive chest straps or buoyancy compensators may cause irritation and discomfort around the surgical area or on the implants and should therefore be avoided.  Breast implants are not a contraindication to diving and should not pose undue risk.

Hysterectomy/C-Section

Women may resume diving after a hysterectomy, but they should wait until they have recovered general strength and fitness before they take the plunge - usually six to eight weeks, and sometimes longer.

If the procedure is complicated in any way, by infection, anemia or other serious issues, it may be wise to further delay diving.

Ovarian Tumor - Tumors may be malignant or benign.  They may also be solid or a hollow sac (cysts).  Ovarian tumors are not all that uncommon and, if identified early, they can be removed surgically or with radiation treatments.

The major issues are the effects on the body from the surgery and/or radiation/chemotherapy treatments.  See the drop down menu for Breast Cancer.