- Jan 15, 2024
- 4 min read
We all need a bit of guidance when it comes to preparing for something new, and your first HSE diver medical is no exception. It can be daunting, signing up for a "medical" and not knowing what this means, what to expect and how long it will take. Is there a chance you could fail the medical, and is there a way of predicting this prior to booking your appointment.
This is where these top tips will help you navigate these uncharted waters for you. By following these useful tips, you can increase your chances of passing your first medical, and each annual medical thereafter.
I meet people that attend for their first diver medicals. Many people pass first time and without any issues, but sometimes this isn't the case, and can be incredibly disappointing. I'd like to share with you the reasons that people tend to fail and how you can avoid these common mistakes.
Tip #1 - Are you fitter than a Firefighter?
If you don't see yourself as being fitter than a firefighter than you could be heading towards failing the exercise part of the medical. Firefighters go through medicals too, and do the same test to calculate their fitness. They have to achieve a VO2 of 42.3 on the same Chester Step Test. (A low VO2 is poor fitness, and a high VO2 is good fitness).
Working as a diver is physically strenuous, and you also need to be fit enough to act and rescue your colleagues in an emergency. The fitness standards for divers is to have a VO2 of >44. Making a diver fitter than your local firefighter! There are some exceptions to this rule, for example if you are working in shallow, sheltered water such as an aquarium.
So, before booking your appointment, get fit by doing regular exercise. And don't forget to continue regular exercise over the years (not just the week before your appointment). As you get older its harder to keep that VO2 result up unless you keep active.
Tip #2 - Ditch the vape
Cigarettes, vapes, cigars - anything that you inhale that isn't a prescribed inhaler - give them a wide berth. Over time, these will cause damage to the small airways of the lungs causing scarring and inflammation, and you are more likely to have lung damage from diving (eg. barotrauma/pneumothorax), even in shallow water.
These changes show up on your breathing test (spirometry) during your medical. It often results in a shorter career in diving, so try and stop these as soon as possible. For further support see your local pharmacy "Stop Smoking Service".
Tip #3 - Visit your GP practice!
If you feel unwell, don't delay seeking advice and treatment until your initial or annual medical. Make an appointment with your practice. The sooner you start treatment, the better control over any illness you will have, and you will be more likely to pass your diving medical.
If you are found to be unwell during your medical, we will need to then get your GP or other specialists involved, which can delay getting you signed off as fit to dive.
You can dive safely with many medical conditions such as asthma, high blood pressure and diabetes; provided there is evidence that you are on the correct treatment to control these health problems.
Tip #4 - Get your GP Questionnaire done early
Don't book your initial medical until you have managed to get your GP to sign your GP Questionnaire.
The GP Questionnaire was developed by HSE, and is required to be done prior to your HSE medical appointment. It is a way of checking for any previous health conditions.
Depending on your GP, this can take 24hours to 6 weeks for them to complete. It is not part of their NHS workload, and they are not obligated to do these in a certain timescale. They will also charge a fee for this.
Tip #5 - Don't book your Commercial Diving Course until you have passed your medical
I would advise any new divers to hold-off booking any commercial diving courses until you have passed your medical. Sometimes, you need further time to get fit prior to passing your medical and booking your course. Avoiding booking until after you have passed your medical will avoid any costly surprises.
And Relax...
Lastly, arrive a little early, find your car parking space and relax in the waiting room. Keeping yourself relaxed will keep your blood pressure down.
Knowing just a little bit about the diving medical can go a long way in helping you succeed. For more information, take a look through the "Preparation" part of the website. If you exercise regularly, don't smoke, and are organised with your paperwork then all that's left to do is relax.
Your AMED (Approved Medical Examiner of Divers) wants to keep you both safe at work, and for you to have a long career. Work alongside your AMED and get to know them over the years, so that they can highlight any health obstacles that you may be approaching, and how to avoid them; navigating a path to success.
