Diving Medical Assessments: What ScotSAC Divers Need to Know
- Scottish Medicals
- Jul 5
- 2 min read
As a diving medical examiner, one of the most common questions I hear is "Why do I need a medical?" Let me take you through the what, why, and how of diving medicals – and hopefully demystify the process a bit.
The Big Picture
First and foremost, diving medicals aren't just bureaucratic hoops to jump through. They're about keeping you and your buddy safe underwater. We've all heard the saying "your health is your wealth," but in diving, your health is also your buddy's safety net.
Think of it this way: when you're 30 meters deep, you want to be confident that both you and your buddy are physically capable of handling any situation that might arise. That's where we come in.
Breaking Down the Process
Getting your diving medical is straightforward when you know what to expect. Here's the inside track:
The Self-Declaration Form
This is your starting point. The more detail you provide here, the smoother the process will be. Include:
Any health conditions you have
When you were diagnosed
What medications you're taking (including doses)
When you started these medications
What Happens Next?
For many divers, that's it – you'll get your approval and be good to go. But if we need more information, don't worry. We might:
Send you a follow-up questionnaire
Ask for some information from your GP
Arrange a quick chat over the phone
Schedule an in-person assessment
Timing Is Everything
Here's a pro tip: don't book that dream diving holiday until you've got your medical sorted. Get your medical done first, then book with confidence.
You should also get reassessed:
When your club asks for a new self-declaration
If you're diagnosed with a new condition
When starting new medications
If you have any health concerns about diving
Working Together
My approach? I'm here to help you dive safely, not to stop you diving. We're fortunate to have the support of the UKDMC forum – a network of diving medical specialists across the UK who help us tackle complex cases.
Sometimes we might need to put some restrictions in place, like:
Depth limitations
Specific buddy requirements
Extra health monitoring (particularly important for conditions like asthma and diabetes)
But here's the good news: it's very rare for someone to be found completely unfit to dive. Usually, we can find a way to keep you in the water safely.
The Bottom Line
Yes, there's paperwork. Yes, there are regulations we need to follow. But remember, this is all about keeping you safe to enjoy the incredible world of diving for years to come.
Questions? Concerns? Don't hesitate to reach out. We're here to help you navigate these waters safely.
How You Can Contribute
We believe in making our diving community stronger through shared knowledge and experience. Your input helps us focus on the health topics that matter most to ScotSAC divers.
Would you like to help shape future health discussions at ScotSAC conferences? We're always looking for suggested topics that would benefit our diving community. Whether it's managing common conditions, understanding new medications, or exploring specific diving-related health concerns, your input is valuable.
Follow the link below to suggest health topics for future conferences:
Your feedback helps us create more relevant and useful content for the ScotSAC community.
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