Medicals

[Clithers]

Hi, I live in Okehampton, Devon and need a medical as my medication has been changed since I last went diving. My husband also now needs a medical as he is on some tablets for high blood pressure.

I read that there is an approved list of doctors who can give dive medicals. Does anyone know how to access it?

My GP seems to think he can do dive medicals but I want to make sure he is approved.

Thanks. :D

[Adrian Kelland]

Hi, I live in Okehampton, Devon and need a medical as my medication has been changed since I last went diving. My husband also now needs a medical as he is on some tablets for high blood pressure.

I read that there is an approved list of doctors who can give dive medicals. Does anyone know how to access it?

My GP seems to think he can do dive medicals but I want to make sure he is approved.

Thanks. :D

There is a link at the top of this page. I reckon the guys at DDRC are probably closest.

Generally GPs cannot do dive medicals. We use the referees as a result of any issues arising on the self-disclaimer medical.

Adrian

[Ron Evans]

I think nearly, but not quite, right. Any doctor can do a recreational diver medical, and if the prospective/current diver is healthy, then the person can be signed as fit. The old medical examination form tells the doctor what to look for, and gives guidance on what is acceptable.

However, if the person has an abnormality, or is on regular medication, then the diver will be advised by the examining doctor to discuss matters with a diving medical referee - there is a list of these on BSAC's web site.

The diving medical referee may need just to talk to the person on the phone, or may need to make an examination - the referee will decide what is needed.

Commercial diving medicals are a separate matter, as I think that they have to be done by a HSE approved doctor.

Any clearer?

Ron

[Edward]

Here is the link to the referees

http://www.bsac.org/medical/medrefs.htm

You are right your GP can no longer do diving medicals, our agreement with the insurance company is Self-declaration or certification by a referee.

Edward

[dr solway]

geting a bit confusing

But as i UKSDMC i can certificiate another docotr medical, so a GP could still do the medical with liason with a a UKSDMC approved doctor ( who has attend a reacent course in dive medicine) But they normally charge in excess of £100, a UKSDMC doctor would normal charge less.
You may not need a full medical so the best thing is to look up a doctor on there list and ring or email them with your details.
link http://www.uksdmc.co.uk/main/Medical%20referees.htm

[judithbodkin]

What are the restrictions with High Blood Pressure? We have a member who has said that he has High Blood Pressure. He mentioned the higher number being
167 not sure about the lower.

He isn't diving. We have mentioned that he is going to need to seek his GP's
advice on this. Plus he will need to see a Diving Referee.

I don't know enough about this can someone advise?