Australia is one of the safest destinations in the world to go scuba diving. This is due to its strict safety regulations and Dive Standards. Recreational divers must complete a Recreational SCUBA Diving Medical before they can train or dive with official diving operators. Accredited General Practitioners must conduct diving medicals. In other words, doctors who have completed a course in Diving Medicine and follow the Dive Standards for Medicals.
Dive medicals are valid for 12 months. Unless equal to (or better than) the AS 4005.1 standard, overseas medicals are unacceptable in Australia.
Scuba diving can be dangerous and even fatal if the diver has a pre-existing medical condition. Medical conditions or disorders may cause a diver to experience disorientation, impaired judgment, impaired mobility, unconsciousness or decompression sickness whilst they are underwater. Some conditions such as asthma and epilepsy are incompatible with scuba diving. However, snorkelling and free diving may be possible.
Diving Medical Examination
In short, there are two types of examination – recreational and commercial. Both examinations require a medical questionnaire, and include a number of tests. For example:
- hearing
- eyesight
- urine
- lung function
- blood pressure
- height and weight
A chest x-ray is also required at additional cost.
Certain medical conditions develop with age, and the physiological strain of regular diving can damage the body. A dive medical examination every 5 years is recommended for people under 30. For those aged 30-50 years of age every 3 years, and every year for divers over 50 years of age.
Book an appointment for a diving medical with Dr Lynette Skardoon.
