Different pre dive medical regulations and requirements apply in Australia to other countries... you need to be aware of these if you are considering scuba diving holidays in Australia.

Introductory or Resort Dives: You will be required to answer a medical statement before you dive... and if your answer is YES to any question you will be required to have a medical assessment conforming to Australian Medical Standard AS4005.1 done by a doctor trained in diving medicine... and this will have to be done before you dive.

Scuba diving lessons and Referral Programs: The Australian Standards (AS 4005.1) that set the standards for this medical are strict - and if you take this medical outside Australia you must be certain your doctor conforms to those standards, and the medical clearly states in english that you are fit to scuba dive... if this is NOT done you may have to do another medical in Australia... so the best course could be to wait, a dive medical done here is approximately A$45 is relatively cheap.

Certified Divers: Before you scuba dive you may be asked to full out a medical questionaire - but this is not a legal requirement, and the rules are not specific. Nevertheless, some companies require you answer the questionaire, saying it is in your own best interest, while others don't insist.

The purpose of the questionaire is to see if you have any pre-existing, or newly developed condition that would compromise your safety while scuba diving.

So if you were to answer YES to any of the conditions listed in the questionaire below, you would be advised to see a doctor... again our advice is - do your scuba diving medical in Australia, you can then be sure it complies with Australian Standard AS 4005.1... Don't take the risk of making the trip to the reef and then be disqualified from diving because your dive instructor has become aware of a medical condition that could affect you... Remember, your dive instructor controls the dive and your safety is his responsibility.

Medical Questionnaire

1. Could you be pregnant or are you attempting to become pregnant?
2. Do you regularly take prescription or non-prescription medications? (with the exception of birth control)
3. Are you over 55 years of age?
4. Are you over 45 years and have one of the following:
   Currently smoke a pipe, cigars or cigarettes
   Have a high cholesterol level
   Have a family history of heart attacks or strokes
5. Has it been more than 5 years since your last dive medical examination?
6. Have you had any serious injury or illness since your last divers medical examination?
7. Have you ever had or do you currently have:

• Asthma, or wheezing with breath, or wheezing with exercise?
• Frequent or severe attacks of hay fever or allergy?
• Frequent colds, sinusitis or bronchitis?
• Tuberculosis or any form of lung disease?
• Pneumothorax (collapsed lung)?
• History of chest surgery?
• Claustrophobia or agrophobia (fear of closed or open spaces)?
• Behavioral health problems?
• Epilepsy, seizures, convulsions or take medications to prevent them?
• Recurring migraine headaches or take medications to prevent them?
• Brain spinal cord or nervous disorder?
• History of blackouts or fainting (full/partial loss of consciousness)?
• Frequently suffer from motion sickness (seasick, carsick, etc)?
• History of diving accidents or decompression sickness?
• History of recurrent back problems?
• History of back surgery?
• History of diabetes?
• History of back, arm or leg problems following surgery, injury or fracture?
• Inability to perform moderate exercise (walk one mile within 12 minutes)?
• History of high blood pressure or take medication to control blood pressure?
• History of any heart disease?
• History of any heart attacks?
• Angina or heart or blood vessel surgery?
• History of ear or sinus surgery?
• History of ear disease, chronic discharge or infection, perforated eardrum, hearing loss or problems with balance?
• History of problems equalizing (popping) ears with airplane or mountain travel?
• History of bleeding or other blood disorders?
• History of any type of hernia?
• History of ulcers or ulcer surgery?
• History of colostomy?
• Any other illness or operation within the last month?
  If so what?
• History of drug or alcohol abuse?
• Have you ingested any alcohol, drugs or medication within the 8 hours prior to diving?
• Do you understand that concealment of any condition incompatible with safe diving might put your life or health at risk?

Dive medicals are performed by independent doctors trained in dive medicine, not scuba dive companies, and it is the doctors decision to pass you as medically fit to scuba dive... Your dive medical must be to Australian Standard 4005.1 (1992) or it will not be accepted... This is Government regulation.

If the above conditions determine you are required to provide a completed Pre Dive Medical Form for Prospective Entry Level SCUBA Divers - Australian Standards medical form AS4005.1

• The medical must be carried out by a doctor trained in diving medicine.
• The medical is only valid for 90 days.
• The medical must be completed before you can commence your scuba diving course.

Our online travel agency has copies of these medical forms - just 'click' the links below and print off what you need.

Pre-dive medical form (for certified or class-attending divers)

1. Example liability release form (for resort/introductory divers)