Recreational & Occupational Dive Medicals

Your safety checklist starts here - cleared for adventure!

Turtle swimming in the ocean

Dive Medicals

Why does diving need a medical?

Diving puts the body somewhere it wasn't really built to be. Every 10 metres of seawater adds roughly another atmosphere of pressure, and that pressure squeezes every air space you have — your ears, your sinuses and your lungs. Most of the time the body well; however, some conditions that cause little trouble on land can become a real problem at depth, where you can't simply stop and sit down.

Think of it like getting the car checked before a long drive out west. You're not expecting trouble, but you'd much rather find the worn tyre in the driveway than on the side of the highway.

It's also an honest conversation about risk. A "yes" on a dive form rarely means you can't dive — more often it means we need to work out how you can dive safely, and occasionally that comes with a few sensible restrictions.

At TSMP, our dive medicals are done by Dr Jane Graham, who has completed SPUMS-approved training in diving medicine. We do both recreational and occupational dive medicals, and because spirometry and hearing tests are done here on-site, most of what's needed happens in the one appointment.

Snorkeler looking at coral and fish

Recreational or occupational — what's the difference?

There are two different medicals, assessed against two different standards.

  • Recreational dive medicals are for people diving for enjoyment — learning to dive, doing a course, or diving on holiday. In Queensland, before an entry-level course you'll fill in a medical declaration (the UHMS Diver Medical Participant Questionnaire). If it shows you need a doctor's assessment, you'll need to see one before you get in the water. Dr. Jane assesses recreational divers using the South Pacific Underwater Medicine Society (SPUMS) guidelines, the benchmark for recreational dive medicals in Australia.

  • Occupational dive medicals are for people who dive as part of their work. They follow the Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 2299.1, they're more thorough, and they're a legal requirement — occupational divers in Queensland must hold a current certificate of medical fitness from a doctor trained in underwater medicine. That certificate can be no more than 12 months old, so working divers come back every year.

Who it's for

Who needs a dive medical?

Recreational divers

Anyone starting an open water or entry-level course whose medical declaration flags a health question
Divers living with asthma, diabetes, a heart or lung condition, past ear or sinus surgery, or taking regular medications
Divers getting back in the water after an illness, injury, surgery or pregnancy
Anyone heading on a liveaboard or diving overseas where the operator asks for a medical

Occupational divers

Commercial divers, and anyone starting ADAS diver training
Scientific and research divers — a big group here in Townsville, with so much marine science on our doorstep
Divers in aquaculture, port and marine construction, and hull or infrastructure inspection
Anyone whose employer asks for an AS/NZS 2299.1 certificate
If you work in the dive industry as an instructor or divemaster, check with your employer which medical they need — Dr. Jane can do either.
Diver underwater with sun shining through the water
Scuba diver with school of fish near by
Tests

What tests to expect in your medical

The tests depend on which medical you need and your age. Most are done here on-site, so you won't be sent off around town.

Occupational dive medical

AS/NZS 2299.1 standard · from 18 years of age
Repeated every 12 months
Everyone
Spirometry — a breathing test of lung function
Audiometry — a hearing test
Chest X-ray — at your first medical, then every 5 years
Also, if you're over 45
ECG — a heart tracing, every year
Fasting cholesterol blood test — part of a heart health check, every year

Recreational dive medical

SPUMS diving medical guidelines
Over 45 and well: every 5 years · Under 45: no set interval
Everyone
Spirometry — a breathing test of lung function
Audiometry — a hearing test
Chest X-ray — only if you've had lung or breathing problems in the past
Also, if you're over 45
ECG — a heart tracing
Fasting cholesterol blood test — part of a heart health check
If you're over 45, have your fasting blood test done before your appointment where you can, so the results are ready on the day. Reception can give you the form when you book.
The process

What happens at your appointment

1
Book a dive medical appointment
Dive medicals take more time than a standard consult. Let us know when booking whether it's recreational or occupational so we can ensure you are assessed against the right standards and organise the appropriate tests.
2
Come prepared
Bring your dive operator's medical declaration if you have one, a list of your medications, any relevant specialist letters, your previous dive medical certificate, and your glasses or contacts if you wear them. We'll give you the questionnaire for your type of medical.
3
Your health history
Jane goes through your medical history, medications and any past diving — including any problems you've had in the water.
4
The examination
A thorough check with a particular focus on your ears and sinuses (including whether you can equalise), heart, lungs, nervous system and general fitness.
5
Tests
Spirometry (a breathing test of lung function) is done on-site. Occupational medicals also include a hearing test, vision and urine tests, and, depending on your age and history, an ECG or other investigations like a chest xray.
6
The outcome
Most people leave fit to dive. Some leave fit with restrictions, and occasionally we need more information first — in that case, Jane will explain why and what happens next. You'll receive a SPUMS Statement of Health or an AS/NZS 2299.1 certificate, depending on your medical.
Diver seen through gap in the coral

Your dive doctor

Dr Jane Graham

Jane is a GP at TSMP with SPUMS-approved training in diving medicine. She'll give you a straight answer on your fitness to dive and, where there's a hurdle, work with you on a plan to get over it.

Diving overseas? Our Travel Clinic can help with vaccines and staying well on the trip. Need a medical for work? See our employment medicals for the full range we offer employers.

FAQs

Dive Medical Questions

  • Not always. Before an entry-level course you'll complete a medical declaration, and if your answers flag a health question, you'll need a doctor's assessment before you dive. Some dive schools and liveaboards ask every student for a medical regardless, so check with your operator.

  • Often, yes. Many people with well-controlled asthma dive safely; however, it depends on what triggers it, how well controlled it is and how your lungs perform on testing. Jane will go through this with you and check your lung function on the day.

  • Most won't, but some can affect alertness, heart rhythm or blood sugar, and those matter underwater. Bring a list of everything you take, including anything over the counter, and we'll work through it together.

  • Longer than a standard consult, and occupational medicals take longer again because of the extra tests. Let reception know which medical you need and they'll book the right length of appointment.

  • An occupational certificate under AS/NZS 2299.1 is valid for up to 12 months, so working divers need a medical every year. For recreational divers, it depends on what your dive operator or training agency asks for. Either way, if your health changes, it's worth being reassessed before your next dive.

  • No. Like most fitness-for-purpose assessments, dive medicals aren't covered by Medicare. Our reception team can give you the current fee when you book.

  • Occupational dive medicals must be done by a doctor with training in underwater medicine. For recreational medicals, SPUMS recommends a doctor who has completed approved training in diving medicine — which is why Jane does ours.

  • It's not always a final answer. Sometimes we need more information, such as a specialist opinion or further tests, and sometimes you're cleared with restrictions, such as limits on depth. Jane will explain the reasoning and talk you through your options.

  • Diving isn't recommended during pregnancy, as the effects on the baby aren't well understood. If you're planning to dive after your baby arrives, book a medical before you get back in the water.

  • Yes. Bring the form from your operator or training agency, and Jane can complete it as part of your recreational medical.

  • Yes. Our corporate team can arrange occupational dive medicals for employers and groups — call (07) 4426 3636 or email corporate@tsmp.net.

  • Generally, no — dive medicals are for scuba. Snorkel tour operators will usually ask some health questions on the day; if you live with a heart or lung condition, have a chat with your GP before your reef trip.