Swimsuit disasters aren't just swimsuit-related wardrobe malfunctions. Wearing a suit that simply doesn't compliment your natural features can also be a disaster of sorts. Paige suggests thinking about your skin tone and finding a suit that complements it. "It's just like when you're buying a foundation for your face.

Unlike other swimmers, divers tend to wear smaller swimsuits and not full-body swimsuits that cover the arms and legs. "The latest trend that divers around the world are, I guess embracing, is the bottoms of their suits have gotten a lot smaller for the females," Hasselbach Adams said.

The bottom line is that every diver should wear a suit that fits well and keeps him or her warm — exposure protection helps compensate for any heat loss due to hormonal or anthropometric differences. No evidence suggests that women who dive while menstruating are harassed or bitten by sharks more often.

Medical concerns associated with aging — such as hypertension, heart disease and diabetes — require greater attention, as they are more likely to affect diving. Postmenopausal women are at increased risk of certain medical conditions such as cardiovascular disease, stroke and osteoporosis.