Scuba Diving Medicals: Your Certificate of Fitness to Explore Underwater

Scuba diving offers a unique opportunity to explore a breathtaking underwater world, but it is an activity that places significant physiological demands on the human body. To ensure your safety, and the safety of those you dive with, a thorough assessment of your health is a fundamental requirement. Whether you’re a beginner taking your first PADI course, an experienced recreational diver, or a professional working in UK waters, obtaining a Diving Medical Certificate is a critical step in your journey.

Cherries Medical Clinic provides comprehensive Scuba Dive Medical assessments for all levels of divers. Our experienced, GMC-registered doctors understand the specific pressures and risks associated with diving and are dedicated to providing a clear, efficient, and authoritative service. With clinics in Southampton and Slough, we are perfectly positioned to serve the diving communities across the South of England, ensuring you receive a certified Fit to Dive Certificate with confidence.

Understanding the Need for a Diving Medical in the UK

Why is a medical so important? As a diver descends, the ambient pressure increases dramatically, affecting gas-filled spaces in the body like the lungs, ears, and sinuses. A Diving Medical UK assessment is designed to identify any pre-existing health conditions that could be exacerbated by these pressure changes or otherwise lead to an emergency underwater.

For recreational divers, the process usually begins with a self-declaration form. For professional divers, the requirements are mandated by UK law. At Cherries Medical Clinic, we cater to both, ensuring you meet the precise standards required for your type of diving.

Recreational Diving Medicals (PADI & SSI)

Most people looking to start their underwater adventure will begin with a course from an agency like the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) or Scuba Schools International (SSI). These organisations use a mandatory self-assessment questionnaire. While the majority of our work is for PADI, we can certainly cater towards SSI SCUBA Schools accreditation.

• The RSTC Medical Form: The key document is the Recreational Scuba Training Council (RSTC) Diver Medical Participant Questionnaire. You will be asked to answer a series of “Yes” or “No” questions about your medical history.

• When is a Doctor’s Certificate Needed? The rules are very clear: if you are intending to SCUBA Dive for the first time with an existing medical condition, or if you answer “Yes” to any question on the form, you must be evaluated by a physician. The doctor will then complete and sign the form, issuing a PADI Medical certificate of fitness. If you can honestly answer “No” to all questions, you can typically self-certify.

Professional Diving Medicals (HSE)

For anyone who dives as part of their job in the UK—including commercial divers, scientific divers, media divers, and even recreational instructors or divemasters working for a commercial agency—the requirements for an HSE Diving Medical are much stricter.

• The Law: The Diving at Work Regulations 1997, overseen by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), mandate that all professional divers must hold a valid HSE Diving Medical certificate.

• Approved Medical Examiners (AMEDs): These statutory medicals can only be performed by doctors specifically trained and approved by the HSE. Our clinic is equipped to provide this specialist service.

The Scuba Dive Medical Assessment: What to Expect

Whether you need a recreational or professional medical, the process is thorough and designed to ensure your complete safety.

What to Bring to Your Appointment:

• Photo ID: Passport or driving licence.

• Your Completed RSTC Medical Form: For recreational divers, please have your questionnaire filled out.

• GP Medical Summary: It is highly recommended to bring a summary of your medical records from your NHS GP.

• Details of Medications & Conditions: A list of any current medications and letters from specialists.

• Glasses/Contact Lenses: Bring them along with your latest prescription.

The Examination Process:
Your Fit to Dive Certificate assessment will involve several key components:

1. Medical History Review: The doctor will discuss your answers on the medical questionnaire in detail.

2. Physical Examination: A comprehensive head-to-toe check, with a particular focus on the systems most affected by diving.

3. Cardiovascular Assessment: Your blood pressure will be checked, and your heart will be listened to. An ECG may be required, especially for an HSE Diving Medical.

4. Respiratory Assessment: The doctor will assess your lungs. For professional medicals, a lung function test (spirometry) is mandatory.

5. Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) Check: Your ears are critical for equalising pressure. The doctor will examine your ear canals and eardrums.

6. Urine Test: A simple urine sample is checked for conditions like diabetes.

7. Fitness Test (for HSE Medicals): Professional divers must pass a fitness test, typically the Chester Step Test.

Upon successful completion, the doctor will sign your paperwork, providing your official Diving Medical Certificate.

Our Commitment to Value and Comprehensive Care

We believe that safety should be accessible. We are committed to providing a service that is not only medically comprehensive but also represents outstanding value. We can guarantee that our price is highly competitive, and we encourage you to compare. Most specialist Scuba Dive Medical services are well above £100, but our efficient model allows us to offer a more affordable price without compromising on the quality of the assessment. Every Diving Medical UK assessment we perform is thorough and adheres to the highest clinical standards.

Trusted for International Diving Destinations

A Fit to Dive Certificate from a UK doctor is respected worldwide. We have extensive experience providing dive medicals for clients travelling to top international destinations. Our team is familiar with the requirements for diving in locations such as Greece, the UAE, Mauritius, Egypt, and the Canary Islands, ensuring your certification will be accepted when you arrive.

Medical Conditions That Can Affect Your Fitness to Dive

Certain health conditions can pose a significant risk underwater. It is vital to declare these honestly.

• Lung Conditions: A history of spontaneous pneumothorax (collapsed lung) is often a permanent bar to diving. Uncontrolled asthma and other chronic lung diseases (COPD) can also be disqualifying.

• Heart Conditions: Any condition that could cause sudden incapacity, such as serious arrhythmias or coronary artery disease, is a major concern. A “hole in the heart” (like a Patent Foramen Ovale or PFO) may also require specialist assessment.

• Neurological Conditions: Epilepsy is a significant contraindication due to the risk of a seizure underwater.

• Ear, Nose & Sinus Issues: Chronic ear infections or severe sinus problems can make it impossible to equalise pressure, risking barotrauma.

• Diabetes: While not an absolute bar, diabetes must be very well-controlled.

• Pregnancy: It is recommended that women who are pregnant, or trying to become pregnant, do not dive.

This is not an exhaustive list. The purpose of a Scuba Dive Medical is to have a confidential discussion with a doctor who can assess your personal risk based on your unique health profile.

Your Local Diving Medical Clinics in Southampton and Slough

Cherries Medical Clinic is proud to support the local diving communities with our expert services.

• Diving Medical Southampton: Our clinic at 19 Oxford Street, Southampton, SO14 3DJ is ideally located for divers across Hampshire and the south coast.

• Diving Medical Slough: Our clinic at 11A The Cherries, Slough, SL2 5TS provides easy access for divers in Berkshire, London, and the surrounding home counties.

Both of our clinics are fully equipped to perform both recreational (PADI Medical, SSI) and professional assessments.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: How much does a Scuba Dive Medical cost?
A: The cost varies depending on the type of medical. A recreational medical is more straightforward than a professional HSE medical. Please see our booking page for current pricing, which we are confident you will find is the most competitive available.

Q: How long is a Fit to Dive Certificate valid for?
A: For an HSE professional medical, the certificate is valid for 12 months. For recreational diving, the certificate signed by a doctor against the RSTC Medical Form is generally valid for one year.

Q: What is the UKDMC?
A: The UK Diving Medical Committee (UKDMC) is a body of experts that provides guidance and helps maintain a list of approved “Medical Referees” for sport diving. Our doctors follow these high standards.

Q: I have a “Yes” on my form but feel fine. Do I really need to see a doctor?
A: Yes, absolutely. It is a mandatory requirement. A “Yes” answer simply means a condition exists that needs an expert opinion to assess the specific risk it poses to you while diving before you can be issued a Diving Medical Certificate.

Q: Can my own NHS GP sign my form?
A: While some GPs may be willing, many are not trained in hyperbaric (diving) medicine and may refuse as it falls outside their expertise and NHS work. It is always best to see a doctor with experience in Diving Medical UK standards.

Book Your Diving Medical Today

Ensure you are fully prepared and certified for your next underwater adventure. Book your Scuba Dive Medical with the experts at Cherries Medical Clinic.

Ready to get certified?

• Book Online: Visit our secure appointment portal to book your Diving Medical in Southampton or Slough.

• Call Us: Our team is ready to answer your questions. Call 0730 685 2397 today.