Scuba diving offers opportunities for travel, family fun and friendly interaction with the environment. As divers of all ages and athletic abilities pursue recreational diving, you must consider the fitness level required for scuba. Although the relatively weightless underwater environment makes diving appear almost effortless, scuba diving does require a measure of strength and stamina. In this page, you'll learn why overall fitness is important to a diver, when you may need to postpone diving based on medical conditions, the need for a physical examination and the impact of medications on diving. In addition, you'll learn about scuba diving safety for individuals with underlying health conditions such as asthma and diabetes.