Medical Screening & Readiness for Scuba Training

This page provides general information about scuba training readiness and the RSTC Diver Medical Form. It is for educational and planning purposes only and is not medical advice.

All medical questions and decisions must be made between you and your licensed medical provider. Our role is to explain how the medical screening process connects to your scuba training experience.

Click here to view the official RSTC Diver Medical Form

This is the standard diver medical screening form used worldwide by major scuba training agencies. You will complete it through PandaDoc before any in‑water training begins.

This is the exact form required for all scuba training. You will complete it through PandaDoc before any in‑water training begins.

The RSTC Diver Medical Form is used worldwide by major scuba training agencies. Its purpose is simple: to help determine whether each diver can participate safely and comfortably. Most divers complete it with no issues at all.

We send all paperwork through PandaDoc, our secure online document signing system. This keeps everything organized and easy to complete digitally.

The form is not a pass/fail test. It is a screening tool that identifies whether a doctor needs to review your health information before you dive. The second page includes detailed guidance written specifically for physicians.

Step 1: Read each question slowly.
Many divers rush and accidentally check “yes” when they do not need to.

Step 2: Answer honestly.
Your safety is our priority, and the form only works when answers are accurate.

Step 3: Don’t panic if you check “yes.”
A “yes” simply means a doctor needs to review the second page and sign if appropriate.

Step 4: Bring the form to your doctor immediately if required.
Waiting until the last minute can delay your training.

Once you complete the RSTC Diver Medical Form in PandaDoc, you’ll receive a confirmation that it has been submitted. Our team reviews your paperwork to confirm whether a doctor’s signature is required based on your answers.

If a doctor’s review is needed, training cannot begin until the signed form is returned. If everything is clear, we simply keep your form on file and move forward with your scheduled class.

If anything is missing or unclear, we may contact you to clarify answers or confirm that your doctor has reviewed the form. Starting this process early helps avoid last‑minute delays.

A common reason to need a medical provider’s review is taking any prescription medication. For many divers, clearance is as simple as uploading the form to their doctor’s online portal or dropping it off at the office.

If you regularly see your doctor and stay up‑to‑date on annual physicals, this process is usually quick and low‑stress. If you haven’t been in touch with your provider for a while, they may require an appointment before signing the form—so starting early is important.

If your answers require a doctor’s sign‑off, please take the form to your provider right away. No in‑water training can begin until the form is fully signed.

Scuba training is exciting, but it also asks a lot of your attention and emotional energy. Being mentally ready means you can stay engaged, follow instructions, and manage normal levels of stress in and around the water.

In practice, mental readiness for scuba looks like:

• Being willing to participate and try new skills
• Following directions from instructors, even when you feel unsure
• Staying reasonably focused during class and pool sessions
• Handling brief moments of discomfort (like clearing a mask) without shutting down
• Communicating clearly if you feel overwhelmed or need a pause

You do not need to be fearless or perfectly calm to learn to dive. Many divers feel nervous at first. What matters is your ability to stay engaged, listen, and work with your instructor as a team.

Scuba training involves moving in and around the water, wearing gear, and participating in full training days. You do not need to be an athlete, but you should be comfortable with light physical activity and basic movement in the water.

Physical readiness for scuba typically includes:

• Comfort being in the water without panic
• Ability to walk short distances carrying your gear
• Ability to climb a pool or lake ladder with assistance if needed
• Ability to kneel, stand, or maintain position in shallow water while practicing skills
• Enough stamina to participate in several hours of training with breaks

If you have questions about whether a specific physical condition is compatible with diving, that conversation belongs with your medical provider. Our role is to help you understand what the training days feel like so you can plan appropriately.

We proudly train youth divers, but for safety and developmental reasons, 10–11‑year‑olds are trained in private classes only. They do not participate in Weekender group classes.

Youth ages 12–17 may participate in Weekender programs with:

• Parent or guardian approval
• Enough focus and stamina to stay engaged through full training days
• Ability to follow instructions reliably in a group setting
• Willingness to participate and practice skills with the class

Parent Responsibility in Choosing the Right Class Format

Parents play a crucial role in choosing the correct training environment for their child. Group Weekender classes move at a steady pace and require sustained focus, emotional regulation, and willingness to participate. Enrolling a child who is unwilling, overwhelmed, or unable to follow instructions in a group setting can create safety challenges not only for that child, but for the entire class and instructional team.

If your child has autism, significant ADHD, sensory needs, high anxiety, or difficulty participating in group activities, a private class is almost always the safer and more successful option. Private training allows us to adjust pacing, reduce stimulation, and provide the one‑on‑one support many youth divers need to thrive.

Parents—not kids—must complete the medical form for youth divers. Children and teens often don’t know their full medical history, and accuracy is essential for safe training. Choosing the right class format from the start helps ensure a positive, safe experience for your child and for every diver in the program.

A doctor’s signature on the RSTC Diver Medical Form confirms that, in the doctor’s opinion, there is no medical reason to automatically exclude you from scuba training. It does not guarantee placement in a specific class format.

OCD Divers’ instructors have the final say on whether a student is able to participate safely in a group Weekender program. This includes factors such as focus, ability to follow instructions, anxiety level, sensory needs, and physical limits.

If, during training, it becomes clear that a diver is unable to keep pace with the group—for example due to extreme anxiety, autism, significant ADHD, or other factors affecting attention and safety—we may require a transition to private lessons. This is never a judgment of worth; it is a safety decision for the diver and for the rest of the class. Instructors cannot safely focus on only one person in a group of eight.

All Open Water students must be able to:

• Swim 200 yards freestyle without stopping, or
• Swim 300 yards with mask, snorkel, fins, and boots

And:

• Float, tread water, or swim around for 10 continuous minutes

These swims are not timed and not competitive. The goal is comfort and stamina, not speed. You can move at your own pace as long as the swim is continuous.

Many divers check “yes” for things like:

• Past surgeries
• Mild, well‑controlled asthma
• Seasonal allergies
• Medications that do not affect consciousness or breathing
• Managed anxiety

These often just require a quick conversation with a doctor.

Our lead instructor holds a master’s degree in psychology and has extensive experience working with divers who feel anxious, overwhelmed, or worried they “can’t do it.” While we do not provide therapy or medical advice, we do offer highly structured, private classes designed to make training feel predictable and manageable.

We offer two main paths to becoming an Open Water Diver:

Standard Open Water Diver Certification (Weekender Program)

View the Standard Open Water Course

The Weekender program is efficient, structured, and fast paced. It’s ideal for divers who enjoy group learning and a predictable schedule.

Private Open Water Diver Certification

Explore the Private Open Water Class

Private classes are perfect for divers who prefer:

• A slower pace
• One‑on‑one instruction
• A quieter environment
• Extra repetition
• Support managing stress or sensory overwhelm

Our lead instructor has a master’s degree in psychology and specializes in working with divers who experience anxiety, sensory overload, or who simply learn best in a calm, one‑on‑one environment.

Most private students complete their pool sessions in Colleyville, where we can take our time and build confidence before heading to the lake.

Many divers who worry they “can’t dive” discover that they simply needed a more personalized learning path—and they thrive in private instruction.

Diving should wait if:

• A doctor advises against it
• A condition affects breathing, consciousness, or decision‑making
• You feel unsafe, unsure, or physically unprepared

Your wellbeing always comes first.

Do I need a doctor’s signature to scuba dive?
Only if you answer “Yes” to certain questions on the RSTC Diver Medical Form.

What if I take prescription medication?
Medication does not automatically prevent diving. It simply means your doctor may need to review the form and decide whether diving is appropriate for you.

How long does medical clearance take?
If you regularly see your doctor, clearance can be fast. If not, they may require an appointment before signing the form, so starting early is important.

Can kids and teens scuba dive?
Yes. Ages 10–11 train in private classes only for safety and developmental reasons. Youth ages 12–17 may join Weekender group programs with parent or guardian approval, as long as they can stay focused, follow instructions, and handle the pace of full training days. Parents complete all medical forms for minors.

Do I need to be a strong swimmer?
No. You just need to complete the required swim and float tests—none of which are timed. The goal is comfort and stamina, not speed.

What if I’m anxious or learn better slowly?
Our Private Open Water Diver Certification is designed for this. Private classes move at your pace, in a quieter environment, with one‑on‑one attention. Our lead instructor has a master’s degree in psychology and specializes in working with divers who experience anxiety, sensory overload, or who simply need more structure and repetition to feel confident.

Where do private pool sessions take place?
Most private students train in our Colleyville pool.

Can I switch from Weekender to private?
Yes. You can transition from a Weekender group class to private training at any point if it becomes clear that a different pace or environment would be safer or more effective. There is an additional upgrade fee for private instruction, because one‑on‑one training means an instructor is dedicating an entire session to a single diver instead of a full group, along with added scheduling and logistics. It’s not about charging more—it’s about making sure the time and attention you receive are sustainable for both you and your instructor.

What happens if I don’t complete the medical form?
You cannot participate in any in‑water training until it is complete.

Completing the Diver Medical Form is a simple but important step in your scuba journey. Most divers breeze through it, and for those who need a doctor’s signature, the process is usually quick—especially when started early.

If you have questions about the form, your personal situation, or whether a private class might be a better fit, we are here to help. Our mission is to support every diver in finding the safest, most enjoyable path underwater.

OCD Divers does not provide medical advice. Nothing on this page is intended to diagnose, treat, or make decisions about your health. All medical questions and decisions must be made between you and your licensed medical provider.

Our instructors make decisions about training format and class placement based on safety, pacing, and the needs of the full group. These decisions are separate from medical clearance and are focused on creating a safe, effective learning environment for every diver.