About this Service
The underwater environment can pose unique problems for divers. The dive medical is designed to identify those risks and assist the candidate in diving safely. Most people can dive, but certain conditions such as asthma and diabetes require special consideration. The South Pacific Underwater Medical Society (SPUMS) recommends that older divers (eg over 45 years ) have a diving medical check every 5 years. Any diver should consult a dive medicine-trained doctor if there is a significant change in their health or after a diving-related medical incident. The training organisations also offer special supervised introductory courses for children who wish to eventually dive independently but prefer divers to wait until the age of 14-16 years to be more physically and emotionally mature (with parental permission and oversight). The diving industry is self-regulated, but the Australian dive shops will encourage and indeed require their divers to be medically checked particularly when new courses for new skills are planned.
Dr Oswald can offer recreational diving medicals for adults and children over 12 years, and commercial standard medicals.
The medical will involve checking some things which may be new, such as lung function, ear function, and balance. Be prepared to provide a urine sample at the time of your medical examination.
