Dive Medicals

Medical

According to the Queensland Government’s Code of Practice for Recreational Diving and Snorkelling, any person training for an entry level certificate, must be certified medically fit for diving; in accordance with the Australian Standard 4005.1 (1992)

The medical certificate must clearly state that it is:

• In accordance with AS 4005.1
• Be in English
• Be conducted by a doctor with experience in diving medicine Conducted within 90 days prior to the start of the training.
• Medicals are conducted on the first day of Open Water Courses and are currently priced at AUD$60
• Generally most students pass the Medical Examination without any difficulty. 
• There are however, some CONTRA-INDICATIONS for scuba diving.

If you have ever suffered from any of the followingcondition, you are unlikely to pass the medical examination here:

• PNUEMOTHORAX
• EPILEPSY
• HEART SURGERY
• DIABETICS REQUIRING INSULIN
• ASTHMA 
• Or if you are currently PREGNANT

Medicals are required for:

•  Scuba Diver
• Open water
• Divemaster
• Instructor

The medical certificate described above is adequate and sufficient for ALLlevels of diver training (all courses).

For candidates wanting to work in Australia as Divemaster or Instructor, thereis a more extensive medical examination required. This requires anaudiometry, x-rays and sometimes an E.C.G. (depending on age). The professional medical examination is conducted according to Australian Standard 2299 (1992).

Certified Divers

If you are a certified diver   you will be asked to fill out and sign an Advice to Divers.

Medical Standards differ from country to country, certain medication / medical conditions may preclude you from diving in Australia.

If you answer Yes to any of the questions below, further medical clearance may be required. (This must be organised at least the day before your trip start date). In some circumstances you may be able to dive, with a certified professional (Dive Guide), at an additional cost.

Are you currently suffering from any illness or injury?
Yes / No. If ‘yes’ please specify: ____________________________________________________________
Are you currently taking any prescription medication (excluding oral contraceptives)
Yes / No. If ‘yes’ please specify: ____________________________________________________________
Since your last dive medical have you suffered from any conditions that may affect your fitness to dive?
Yes / No. If ‘yes’ please specify: ____________________________________________________________

If you are doing an Open Water Course (Learn to dive):

All dive medicals from overseas will NOT be accepted unless they state they are to Australian Standard AS4005.1

Generally most students pass the Medical Examination without any difficulty. There are however, some CONTRA -INDICATIONS for scuba diving. If you have ever suffered from any of the following conditions, you are unlikely to pass the medical examination here:

• Pneumothorax
• Epilepsy
• Heart Surgery
• Diabetes requiring Insulin
• Asthma
• Or if you are currently pregnant

This medical examination must be conducted along the guidelines of Australian Standard AS4005.1. If you or your doctor require a copy of this standard, please click here.

If you are doing an introductory dive or doing any Continuing Education (E.g. Advanced course):

You will be asked to fill out a medical statement similar to the one below. If you answer YES to any of the conditions below, further medical clearance may be required.

If you answer NO to all questions AND your medical condition has not changed since your medical for your Open Water Course, no further medical will be required.

Medical History

I, _________________________ of the aforementioned address do hereby formally declare that I am not and have never been subject to any of the following:

Asthma or wheezing
Brain, spinal cord injury
Nervous disorder
Chest Surgery Chronic Bronchitis or persistent chest complaint
Chronic Sinus condition Collapsed lung (pneumothorax)
Diabetes Mellitus (sugar diabetes) Ear Surgery
Epilepsy Fainting, seizures or blackouts
Heart disease of any kind Recurrent ear problems when flying
Tuberculosis or other long-term lung disease

I further declare that I am not currently subject to any of the following:

• Breathlessness
• Chronic ear discharge or infection
• High blood pressure Other illness or operation within the last month
• Perforated eardrum

• I further declare that I am not currently taking any prescribed medicine or drug (excluding oral contraceptives)
• I further declare that I have not ingested alcohol within eight hours prior to diving.
• I further declare that I am not currently pregnant.
• I understand that concealment of any condition incompatible with safe diving might put my life or health at risk.
• I understand that I should not go to altitude (fly) within 12 hours of completing a single dive or 18 hours of multiple dives (where possible, wait 24 hours).

Introductory Diving

If you are doing an introductory dive you will be asked to fill out and sign the following form:

If you answer YES to any questions further medical clearance may be required. This must be arranged prior to day of departure.

If you have a medical question, please feel free to email Cairns 24 Hour Medical Centre or visit their website.

If you are doing a professional course (Divemaster or above):

A valid diving medical to Australian standard AS 4005.1, no less than 12 months old (Australian standard AS2229 if you plan to work in Australia)

If you have a medical question, please feel free to email Cairns 24 Hour Medical Centre or visit their website.

Help in finding a Diving Doctor

In Australia

If you would like to find a doctor in Australia or around the world, just visit www.spums.org.au.

If you would like to find a doctor in the Cairns area please see below.

• Dr Graham Simpson, Flecker House, 5 Upward Street, Cairns - Phone 07 4031 4095
• McLeod Street Medical, 67 McLeod Street, Cairns - Phone 07 4052 1583
• Dr Greg Crafter, Flecker House, 5 Upward Street, Cairns - Phone 07 4041 2066
• Cairns City Medical Centre, Cnr Grafton & Florence Streets, Cairns - Phone 07 4052 1119
• Cairns Central Medical Centre, McLeod Street, Cairns - Phone 07 4031 3717
• Barrier Reef Medical Centre, 377 Sheridan Street, Cairns - Phone 07 4051 6299
• Cairns Sports Medicine, 126 Mulgrave Rd, Cairns - Phone 07 4051 3944
• Cairns Tourist & Local Medical Services, 15 Lake Street, Cairns - Phone 07 4041 1699
• Toogood Rd Medical Centre, 28 Toogood Road, Woree - Phone 07 4054 3336
• Edge Hill Medical Practice, 1A/132 Collins Avenue, Edge Hill - Phone 07 4053 7677
• Smithfield Medical Centre, Cnr Cook Hwy & McGregor Rd, Smithfield - Phone 07 4057 7300
• Trinity Beach Medical Centre, 1 Rabaul Street, Trinity Beach - Phone 07 4055 6281

In the United Kingdom

IF YOU LIVE IN THE UK, A MEDICAL TO AUSTRALIAN STANDARD
AS4005.1 CAN BE ORGANISED THROUGH THIS WEBSITE:

e-med.co.uk
e-med.co.uk/diving_medicals.html
This is the website for the Australian Medicals, if you enter the site and click on the tab at the top for 'dive medicals', then scroll down and you will see a list of different medicals offered including the Australian Standard AS4005.1 @ £80. They perform all the medicals at The Hospital of St John and St Elizabeth, London, directions are also on the website.

If you have a medical question, please feel free to email Cairns 24 Hour Medical Centre or visit their website.