Scuba Medical

Scuba diving requires a minimum level of health and fitness. Chronic health conditions, certain medications and/or recent surgery may require you to get written approval from a physician before diving.

Avoid disappointment, download and review the Diver Medical form to ensure you won’t need a physician’s approval to dive before enrolling in a scuba course. Instructors, divemasters and dive shop staff are not physicians and should not be asked for medical advice; only medical professionals can give medical clearance to dive.

If you (or your physician) have questions about medical fitness to dive, contact the experts at Divers Alert Network (DAN).

Review the medical questionnaire, and follow the instructions on the form.  PADI requires either all NO answers, or the doctor's unconditional approval for you to participate in the class.  There are no exceptions allowed.   The form must be filled out completely, including the approving signature in the blank provided for it, and dated.  This is a legal document and must be filled out correctly or it is invalid and will have to be corrected.  PADI Requirement for Minors ***A parent or legal guardian must sign the document. *** 

If you answered YES to questions 3, 5 or 10 on the medical OR to any of the questions on page 2 of the medical form, take all three pages of the medical form to your physician for a medical approval.  Bring the completed form (whether or not you required approval) to the class.

Who May Sign a Diver Medical? As you know, when student divers answer “Yes” to statements 3, 5, or 10 on page 1 of the Diver Medical form, or answer “Yes” to any statements on page 2, they are required to be evaluated by a certified medical doctor or another legally-certified medical provider before participating in any inwater activities related to the course. The medical provider must approve a student diver’s participation by clearly indicating that there are no conditions incompatible with recreational scuba diving or freediving. The legal description of who is considered a certified medical doctor or other legally- certified medical provider may vary by country or state. Physicians and other legally- certified medical providers are required to be licensed to practice in the country or state in which they work. In some countries or states, other legally- certified medical providers may work under the direction or supervision of a physician. For example, in the USA legally certified medical providers may include: 

These medical professionals may conduct the medical evaluation of divers and sign the Medical Examiner’s Evaluation Form (on page 3), provided a clinic/hospital stamp identifying the medical facility with whom they work is also included on the form. 

If you are not sure your medical professional may sign your form, contact PADI Headquarters (800-729-7234) for guidance regarding who may conduct the medical evaluation and sign the Medical Examiner’s Evaluation Form.

IF you did require approval:

*** As soon as you obtain approval  ***, forward a copy of your form to slim@blueskydivers.com and bring in the original to the class.  If there are any conditions or exceptions noted on the form it will be forwarded to PADI for their acceptance.   In the event that PADI does not accept, you will have to obtain further clarification / approval.  Don't wait until class starts if you are at all unsure about what your physician wrote on your form.  Neither your instructor nor the dive shop can decide if the form is acceptable.  PADI makes the final decision if the form is acceptable.

Here is a good article about common medications and diving.

Diver’s Alert Network (DAN) physician referral info

If you are looking for a physician to conduct a diving physical to be medically cleared for diving or would like a consultation from a diving medical specialist in your area, you can call DAN at 919-684-2948 (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. Eastern time zone)