Medical Requirements for Scientific Divers

Please also see the downloadable versions of the Medical Forms from the main Diving Safety page.

Section 6.00
Medical Standards

6.10	Medical Requirements
6.11	General
	6.11.1	The UM shall determine that divers have passed a current diving physical examination and have been declared by the examining physician to be fit to engage in diving activities as may be limited or restricted in the medical evaluation report.
	6.11.2	All medical evaluations required by this standard shall be performed by, or under the direction of, a licensed physician of the applicant-diver's choice, preferably one trained in diving/undersea medicine.
	6.11.3	The diver should be free of any chronic disabling disease and be free of any conditions contained in the list of conditions for which restrictions from diving are generally recommended. (Appendix 1)
6.12	Frequency of Medical Evaluations Medical evaluation shall be completed:
	6.12.1	before a diver may begin diving, unless an equivalent initial medical evaluation has been given within the preceding 5 years (3 years if over the age of 40, 2 years if over the age of 60), the UM has obtained the results of that examination, and those results have been reviewed and found satisfactory by the UM.
	6.12.2	thereafter, at five year intervals up to age 40, every three years after the age of 40, and every two years after the age of 60
	6.12.3	Clearance to return to diving must be obtained from a physician following any major injury or illness, or any condition requiring hospital care. If the injury or illness is pressure related, then the clearance to return to diving must come from a physician trained in diving medicine.
6.13	Information Provided Examining Physician The UM shall provide a copy of the medical evaluation requirements of this standard to the examining physician. (Appendices 1, 2, and 3)
6.14	Content of Medical Evaluations Medical examinations conducted initially and at the intervals specified in Section 6.12 shall consist of the following:
	6.14.1	Applicant agreement for release of medical information to the Diving Safety Officer and the DCB (Appendix 2).
	6.14.2	General medical history (Appendix 3).
	6.14.3	Diving physical examination (Section 6.15 and Appendix 2).
6.15	Conditions for which Restriction from Diving is Recommended (Adapted from Davis, 1988)(See Appendix 1)
6.16	Laboratory Requirements for Diving Medical Examination:
	6.16.1	Initial examination under age 40: Medical History Complete Physical Exam, emphasis on neurological and otological components Chest X-ray Spirometry Hematocrit or Hemoglobin Urinalysis Any further tests deemed necessary by the physician.
	6.16.2	Periodic re-examination under age 40 (every 5 years) Medical History Complete Physical Exam, emphasis on neurological and otological components Hematocrit or Hemoglobin Urinalysis Any further tests deemed necessary by the physician
	6.16.3	Initial exam over age 40: Medical History Complete Physical Exam, emphasis on neurological and otological components Assessment of coronary artery disease risk factors including lipid profile and diabetic screening Resting EKG Chest X-ray Spirometry Urinalysis Hematocrit or Hemoglobin Any further tests deemed necessary by the physician Exercise stress testing may be indicated based on risk factor analysis
	6.16.4	Periodic re-examination over age 40 (every 3 years); over age 60 (every two years): Medical History Complete Physical Exam, emphasis on neurological and otological components Assessment of coronary artery disease risk factors including lipid profile and diabetic screening Resting EKG Urinalysis Hematocrit or Hemoglobin Any further tests deemed necessary by the physician Exercise stress testing may be indicated based on risk factor analysis
6.17	Physician's Written Report
	6.17.1	After any medical examination relating to the individual's fitness to dive, the UM DSO shall obtain a written report prepared by the examining physician, which shall contain the examining physician's opinion of the individual's fitness to dive, including any recommended restrictions or limitations. This will be reviewed by the DCB.
	6.17.2	The UM DSO shall make a copy of the physician's written report available to the individual.

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Section 6.00Medical Standards

Section 6.00
Medical Standards