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A much needed revision of the diver medical that will make courses less about writing and more about diving.
20 July 2020
By Danel Wentzel
Scuba diving is an incredible activity that is both equally invigorating as it is magical. Exploring the underwater world is an adventure on its own. When only half of the experience is to have this unique feeling of being weightless and free, you can understand why people fall in love with it.
But before you get started with your first scuba diving course, you will need to complete the necessary Diving Medical Questionnaire. Naturally, venturing into an environment where humans cannot breathe, we need to ensure that everyone is fit to dive before they put their head underwater. Evaluating dive fitness consisted of a tiresome 34 question yes/no questionnaire, wich mostly ended up leaving students with more questions for the instructor afterwards.
The New Medical
As of June 2020, the international Diver Medical Screen Committee (DMSC) released a new Diver Medical Questionnaire, Diver Medical Physicians Evaluation Form and Diving Medical Guidance sheet that was to become the successor to the Recreational Scuba Training Council (RSTC) diving medical screening system that was first published in 1989 [1].
This new Diver Medical has been worked on by diving medical experts from organisations like Undersea & Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) and Divers Alert Network (DAN) since the collaborative project first started in 2017 [1]. Due to the pandemic that has shook this world upside down, further revisions were added in reference to COVID-19 survivors.
How it Works
The Diver Medical Questionnaire needs to be filled out before the start of any in-water activity as part of a scuba diving or freediving course [2]. The basis of the questionnaire is to establish if you should seek out a physician's approval before diving. The questionnaire is split into two sections with the primary evaluation only consisting of 10 questions.
By answering ‘Yes’ to any of the questions, it may require you to answer follow up questions on page 2 of the medical questionnaire. Fill out the remainder of the follow up questions by ticking or crossing the yes/no boxes and then read and agree to the Participant Statement:
“ I have answered all questions honestly, and understand that I accept responsibility for any consequences resulting from any questions I may have answered inaccurately or for my failure to disclose any existing or past health conditions. “
If for all ten questions you cross the ‘No’ box - a medical evaluation by a physician is not required but you must still read and agree to the Participants Statement. If you did answer “Yes’ to any of the questions, you will need to take all 3 pages of the document including your filled out and signed medical questionnaire to your physician for a medical evaluation.
The Guidelines
The optional document for you to download, the Diving Medical Guidelines, are typically to be used by physicians to have a better understanding of what is required of a diver to be declared fit to dive.
The 12 page document includes a list of minimum evaluations to be addressed in the physical examination performed by the physician. It is recommended to send the document to your physician prior to the consultation. The guidelines can be of value to student divers and dive instructors as well.
So in a Seashell
Every diver that wishes to participate in a scuba diving or freediving course, will need to fill out the Diving Medical Questionnaire.
This concise 10 question evaluation will determine if you need to seek a physician's approval, prior to participating in any in-water activity of the course.
By answering ‘yes’ to any of the questions, you may be directed to follow up questions and will be required to undergo an evaluation by a physician.
This new medical streamlines the process and makes it easier for the student, the instructor and the physician. This will minimise costs for students with fewer required physician evaluations, bringing a greater peace of mind to instructors and a safer diving community for everyone.
References
[1] Undersea & Hyperbaric Medical Society. 2020. Recreational Diving Medical Screening System. [online] Available at: <https://www.uhms.org/resources/recreational-diving-medical-screening-system.html> [Accessed 19 July 2020].
[2] PADI Pros - A blog for PADI Professionals. July 14, 2020. New Medical Screening System for Divers. [online] Available at: <https://pros-blog.padi.com/2020/07/14/new-medical-screening-system-for-divers/> [Accessed 19 July 2020].
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