Can obese people dive?

It is possible for an obese person to scuba dive however there are some limitations and risks. Fat is less dense than water and so obese people are more buoyant requiring more weight to achieve neutral buoyancy. An increase in weight means excess drag and so obese people will need more energy to keep up with those of a normal weight. Should an obese diver get into trouble in the water the extra kit could mean his fellow divers have a problem with rescue. Decompression sickness is a high risk in obese people as fat stores nitrogen. There are, therefore, potential issues with dives being taken over consecutive days as nitrogen can build up in the system leading to decompression sickness. Obesity can lead to higher blood pressure, diabetes and painful joints which subsequently affects the ability to dive safely.