HSE Diving Medicals are required by any professional diver on an annual basis.
The main categories within this group of divers includes:
- Commercial Divers
- Recreational Instructors and Divemasters
- Underwater Media-related work (eg. Camera operators, Producers, Researchers)
- Military linked underwater workers
- Anyone receiving income from underwater occupations
The HSE annual medical is very detailed and comprehensive and can only be carried out by Approved Medical Examiners of Divers (AMEDS), who are trained and approved by the HSE.
Recreational divers are required to complete a self-certificate medical declaration form before learning to dive. Because of the nature and potential dangers of diving and the underwater environment, anybody with any type of ongoing medical condition should seek to have a Recreational Dive Medical before learning to dive. Recreational divers over the age of 40, whether already trained or not, would be advised to have a recreational dive medical to ensure that they are fit enough for the demands of diving.
Diving Medical Practitioners:
Dr Fraser Russell MBBS, MRCP, MRCGP, Dip Occ Med:
Fraser qualified in medicine at London University in 1976 and has been a recreational diver himself for about 20 years. He became an HSE Approved Medical Examiner of Divers in 1997 (Reg.No: 01-11-15) and has gained considerable experience of diving medicine during that time.