MEDICAL INFORMATION
FOR DIVERS IN QUEENSLAND
The scuba diving industry in Queensland is under some of the strictest regulations in the world, with a large part of this surrounding medical fitness requirements for scuba diving. While these regulations have helped ensure that all dive operators conduct themselves in a safe and professional manner, it also means that all prospective divers are required to be assessed for any possible medical issues, prior to participating in any scuba diving activities. To outline these requirements, please read the information below, to determine which category you may fall into, and whether or not a medical assessment, performed by a physician will be necessary.
CERTIFIED DIVERS
Current medical fitness is assessed to check if anything has occurred medically since the last dive medical was completed. As a guide, the following criteria are used:
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Do you suffer from any condition, illness, or injury that may be incompatible with diving?
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Have you ever had any medical condition that affected your heart; ears, or lungs?
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Do you have, or you have ever had asthma (including 'childhood' asthma), that has required treatment using an inhaler and/or medication?
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Have you ever had a condition that caused a loss of consciousness? Examples include: Hypotension; epilepsy, or diabetes
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Are currently taking any prescription medication/s, excluding oral contraceptives?
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Do you suffer from Hypertension?
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Had surgery in the last 6 months?
For anyone who is or might be pregnant, or is trying to become pregnant; diving is contraindicated
Certified divers who suffer from Diabetes of either type, are required to produce a current diving medical from a physician, which has been conducted within the last 12 months. Aside from this, please see the section below regarding diabetes and diving, for further information.
INTRODUCTORY DIVING / RESORT DIVING
For non-certified divers wanting to participate in an introductory or Resort diving experience, the medical questionnaire below is used:
For any "YES" response to one of the questions on the form, written consent from a physician will be necessary, before diving can be conducted.
Currently, in Queensland, non-certified divers who suffer from diabetes, are not permitted to participate in introductory diving. This is also true for anyone who suffers from epilepsy.
PADI & SDI DIVE COURSES / DIVER TRAINING PROGRAMS
There are two situations to consider before joining a dive training program, with these being whether you are taking an entry-level program, such as the PADI or SDI Open Water Dive Course, or, if you already have a certification, and are looking at a continuing education program such as Advanced, Rescue Diver, or a specialty course.
Entry-level divers are required to complete the medical questionnaire, and using the guidance on the form, determine whether a medical examination from a physician is required. Please note that anyone 45 years or older, regardless of medical history, written approval before starting an entry-level training program is mandatory.
If you already have an Open Water Diver certification, or higher, and are looking to undertake further training (including a ''refresher'/scuba review), then please click this link for the current RSTC Medical Questionnaire.
Again, please use the guidance on the form, to check if a medical examination is needed.
DIABETES AND DIVING
This is a topic that has been heavily debated, and for many years it was concluded that diabetics were not permitted to dive under any circumstance. Through greater research and understanding, this stance has softened to the point that diving and dive training can be undertaken by diabetics, provided certain protocols are adhered to. Primarily, this affects those divers who suffer from Insulin-dependent diabetes.
In order for us to consider anyone for diving, who has diabetes, we make use of the most up-to-date guidance provided by the Divers Alert Network. The current procedures can be viewed by clicking this link - DAN Diving and Diabetes
